ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — When most people hear YWCA Asheville, they think of child care or maybe a gym.
But inside the organization’s Asheville building, a lot more is happening.
From financial literacy classes to racial justice workshops to support for young mothers, the YWCA reaches thousands of people each year — all centered around a mission of eliminating racism and empowering women.
“It’s not just what we do, but how we do it,” CEO Diana Sierra said. “We want people to feel supported, seen and valued when they walk through our doors.”
One of the YWCA’s core initiatives is the Women’s Empowerment Department, where assistant director Crystal Reid helps lead programs like “Getting Ahead.”
The program is designed to help people — often women living on limited incomes — figure out where they are financially and where they want to go.
“It’s about investing in yourself,” Reid said. “A lot of people have goals, but they don’t always know how to start.”
“Getting Ahead” runs for eight weeks, with participants meeting twice a week. Along the way, the women learn financial skills, set goals and build relationships with others in the program. There’s also a stipend for completing the course and 18 months of follow-up support.
That group setting is intentional, Reid said.
“They’re not just learning — they’re building a community,” she said. “They leave with people who are cheering them on.”
Another program, “MotherLove,” focuses on young and first-time moms — some still in high school — helping them stay on track with their education while learning how to care for their babies.
“It’s hard to be a young parent,” Reid said. “We want them to know they’re not doing it alone.”
The support can be practical — like diapers, car seats and parenting classes — but also emotional, giving young parents someone in their corner.
Across the hall, the focus shifts to another part of the YWCA’s mission: racial justice.
Director Megan Pugh leads free monthly workshops for the community, along with customized sessions for nonprofits, faith groups and other organizations.
“We’re creating spaces where people can have honest, compassionate conversations,” Pugh said. “For a lot of people, it’s about having a place to ask questions, reflect and understand how these issues show up in everyday life — and what they can do about it.”
Pugh said younger generations are increasingly engaged in conversations about race and social justice, often bringing a more nuanced understanding of complex issues.
“They’re able to see multiple truths at once,” she said. “They’re willing to sit with that complexity, and that gives me a lot of hope.”
The organization is also expanding its outreach, including developing culturally relevant programming for Latino communities and finding more ways to involve young people.
“Racial justice isn’t a one-time conversation,” Pugh said. “It’s ongoing work, and more people are realizing they have a role to play in it.”
Sierra said the organization often surprises people who only know it for one service.
“We’re kind of like several nonprofits under one roof,” she said.
For those who want to learn more, the YWCA offers weekly “Empower Hour” tours, along with volunteer opportunities and ways to support the programs.
At the end of the day, Sierra said, it all comes back to connection.
“Community is everything,” she said. “When people come together and support each other, that’s where real change starts. There are lots of nonprofits doing similar work. What makes the difference is how we center people in everything we do.”