Through the efforts of Ms. Nina Mills, the Flint YWCA was established to serve the needs of women and girls in the Flint community
1910
The YWCA opened its first location in the Oren Stone House located in Flint. Later the property was purchased and the building was remodeled and expanded adding a gymnasium and cafeteria.
Classes and a Camping Club were offered for girls
The Industrial and Business Girl’s Organization began for the girls working in factories.
A Boarding Home for girls working in factories was established at the corner of Warren and Industrial Streets.
1920
A new YWCA building was erected at the corner of First and Harrison Streets providing housing for 50 girls.
YWCA clubs were introduced to every elementary, junior and senior high school in the community.
Through a partnership with the churches, employment services and serving the needs of Negro girls in the community became the YWCA focus.
Due to fast growth, the Business and Industrial Girls Program was divided into two programs.
Camp Tyrone located near Fenton was established.
1930
Keeping displaced workers busy during the depression with volunteer opportunities and classes became the YWCA’s focus.
Adult Programs were divided into four areas; industrial girls, business and professionals, younger business women’s group and the Negro Forum.
The Girl Reserve Program was reorganized. The Girl Scouts took over the elementary program while the YWCA continued servicing the junior and high school program.
Membership grew to 1, 028 members with interest in physical activity programs increasing steadily.
1940
The YWCA began its first endowment.
Emphasis was placed on health education and recreation despite the increase in community programs being provided by other community organizations.
The popularity of activities and programs at Camp Tyrone required new development at the camp.
The YWCA became a popular meeting place for numerous community organizations including the Homemaker’s Club, Newcomer’s Club and Lensman’s Club.
1950
Summer classes, teen groups and a Big Sister program were launched by the YWCA.
A counseling program was established to serve more than 1,400 girls.
The YWCA actively engaged in advocacy by supporting women for public leadership positions on the Flint City Council and Flint Board of Education, petitioning for African-American teachers in public schools, and supporting fluoridation of the City of Flint’s water supply.
Membership grew to more than 5,800.
Mrs. Mabel Moore was elected as the first African-American woman vice president of the YWCA board.
1960
The critical need for a new YWCA building to house women and girls and the numerous programs of the YWCA was addressed and funding efforts began.
The new YWCA building was completed in 1968 on Third Street and emphasis was then placed on programs to serve women and children in the community including swimming, fitness and exercise programs.
New programs were developed to assist single parents and socialize deinstitutionalized psychiatric patients.
1970
Racism dialogues were held and the YWCA became very active in promoting equality in housing, equal pay, and opportunities and leadership for women.
Counseling for Domestic Violence victims become part of the YWCA services.
The YWCA Health Spa was opened providing services such as dry heat saunas, Swedish massages, whirlpool relaxation, facials and heat lamp treatments.
The Board took a stand for pro-choice at the National Convention in Dallas, the resolution read: “Our decision does not mean that we advocate abortion as the most desirable solution to the problem, but rather that one should have the right to make the decision.”
1980
Directions 90, a $2.5 million major fund raising campaign, was started that would address capital and endowment needs.
The merger of the Sexual Assault Crisis Center and the Every Woman’s Center resulted in SafeHouse for victims of domestic violence and the YWCA Domestic Violence/Sexual Assault Services.
Century Club was started with 89 women.
Flint Women’s Forum was formed with the help of the YWCA and Mrs. Ruth Rawlings Mott.
The first Women of Achievement event was held recognizing three women as recipients of the Nina B Mills Award.
1990
The Flint YWCA along with several other YWCA affiliates met to start a coalition to confront the National YWCA on the lack of local representation.
The Michigan YWCA affiliates crested a state group to help each other and to present a united front at the National level.
The YWCA begins exploring the possibility of selling the building because of the costs of maintaining it.
2000
The YWCA developed a Racial Justice program which was the first in the country and trained people across the city, county and country.
The Young Women’s Advisory Council was established to involve young women in the future leadership of the YWCA
The Emergency Response Team (ERT) was established to provide 24 hour crisis services to domestic violence and sexual assault survivors. ERT staff works with area Hospitals, Clinics and Law Enforcement Agencies to support survivors following a report of domestic violence and sexual assault.
2010
In January 2011, Nina’s Place Transitional Living Center opened at the YWCA to provide housing and other supportive services to assist young women, ages 18 – 20, who were former foster care youth or without family support. Nina’s Place provides services to approximately 15 to 20 young women annually.
In partnership with the 68th District Court, the YWCA started a Victim Advocacy Program to serve victims of serious misdemeanor crimes in the city of Flint.