Mission Forward: The YWCA’s campaign to promote freedom and dignity for all.
We are in the final stretch of our $11.5 million comprehensive Campaign. Having reached the financial milestone needed to to open the doors of Francie’s House, your gift today helps us reach our ultimate goal: ensuring that hope and healing remain within reach for generations to come.
Safeguarding Our Future
Introducing Francie’s House
The opening of Francie’s House marks a transformative milestone in our mission to provide safety and healing for survivors. This state-of-the-art facility is the result of years of vision and community support, specifically designed to meet the complex needs of those escaping abuse.
By adopting trauma-informed design, the shelter moves away from traditional congregate living, instead offering 21 private, apartment-style units that double our previous capacity. It is more than a building; it is a foundation for survivors to rebuild their lives with dignity.
We recognize that for many, a family pet is a vital source of comfort and often the reason a survivor stays in a dangerous situation. Francie’s House is pet-friendly, ensuring that no one has to choose between their own safety and the life of a beloved animal.
The Complete Support System Survivors and Their Children Need to Move Forward
Opening the doors is a massive achievement, but our work continues. The remainder of our $11.5 million goal is focused on safeguarding our future by ensuring the support that turns a temporary stay into permanent independence is there for every survivor and child who needs it. To provide a clear path from crisis to independence, we offer comprehensive services that include the following.
Basic Needs: We ensure immediate access to essentials like food, clothing, and medicine so survivors can focus entirely on their healing.
Workforce Development: We empower survivors with the tools and training they need to re-enter the professional world with confidence.
Financial Independence: We help survivors clear the hurdles of financial abuse, such as past-due utility bills and credit issues that frequently stall the housing process.
Physical and Mental Health: We provide access to on-site medical partners and clinical support to address the physical and emotional toll of abuse.
Investing in the Next Generation
Children make up 49% of our residents. To truly break the cycle of violence, our specialized children’s program focuses on supporting our youngest survivors through three core areas:
Immediate Safety: We provide a secure environment and crisis support to help children feel safe the moment they arrive.
Healthy Habits: We teach children how to identify "red flags" and "green flags" in relationships, giving them a toolkit for a violence-free future.
Family Strength: We work with parents to provide the tools they need to protect their children and build a stable home life together.
The transition to this new facility and our focus on holistic support is already delivering record-breaking transformations. This year, 84% of survivors moved from Francie’s House into permanent housing, which is a meaningful jump from our previous average of 70%. These survivors and their children are finding the long-term safety they deserve, securing income early in their stay, and smoothing the path from crisis toward independence.
The sustainability of this progress is made possible through support of community members, like you. We are only $2 million away from fully safeguarding this mission. Your gift today is the final step in ensuring that the YWCA can continue to provide a secure foundation for every survivor who walks through our doors.
Please join us in this final phase to meet the moment and build a future where every home is a safe one.
Have questions about supporting the YWCA’s Mission Forward campaign? Contact Yvette Johnson-Hegge at (513) 361-2119 or yjohnsonhegge@ywcacin.org.
Leading the Way.
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Francie Pepper
Honorary Co-Chair
Community Leader
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Charlene Ventura
Honorary Co-Chair
Retired YWCA President + CEO
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Jackie Reau
Campaign Co-Chair
CEO of Game Day Communications
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Barbara Turner
Campaign Co-Chair
CEO of BT R.I.S.E.
Former CEO of Ohio National
Mission Forward
Mission Forward
Join us in our mission to empower women and families to live free from violence, shame, and abuse, while we work to create a more inclusive Greater Cincinnati where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.