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| Friday, May 16, 2008 |
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Waypoint Services for Women, Children and Families is an organization that has a long and rich history of serving women and children in Cedar Rapids and surrounding east-central Iowa communities. The needs of area women and children have changed dramatically over the past 112 years, and Waypoint's commitment to serving them has evolved right along with them.
Waypoint was established as the Cedar Rapids chapter of the Young Women's Christian Association (YWCA) in 1894.
How we began…
The National YWCA began in the 1850's from the combination of a religious revival movement and the greatly increased numbers of self-supporting women working in factories in the United States and Great Britain. As a result, many women migrated to cities for work in factories, away from families, often living in inadequate housing.
In Boston in 1886, a chapter of thirty-five women began the Young Women's Christian Association to provide employment placement to young women who migrated to the city. Their organization became an outlet for education, vocational, cultural and religious meetings that strengthened and nurtured women. By 1875, YWCA chapters were spreading throughout the country.
How we evolved…
In 1894, the YWCA chapter in Cedar Rapids was formed from the Bohemian Young Women's Union, whose purpose was to study Bohemian reading, writing and literature. When established as a YWCA, the organization focused its efforts on the feminine disciplines of vocal music, dressmaking and fancy work. A lodging house at 3rd Avenue and 6th Street was acquired to help with housing young women migrating to the city for employment. At the turn of the century, exercise classes were offered to increase stamina of factory women. The YWCA of Cedar Rapids and Linn County was chartered in 1906. From 1910 -1950, the YWCA focused on Bible study, crafts, self-improvement, physical fitness, socials and community outreach projects. Fitness classes and support for businesswomen remained the focus of the YWCA through the 1960's until the 1970's when the need for critical support services for domestic violence and sexual assault victims and for homeless women and children. Child care programs then evolved in the 1980's to support working mothers. In 2001, the organization changed its name from the YWCA to Waypoint. The rationale for this change was due to a difference in the mission of the local organization from the national YWCA; its interest in keeping resources in the local community; and because the organization did not want to exclude any governance opportunities in the organization for men or people of other faiths.
Who we are today…
Today, Waypoint Services for Women, Children and Families continues to serve as a community resource, providing shelter and support to women, children and families who are in crisis due to homelessness, domestic violence or sexual assault. Waypoint is also a community leader is providing quality child care to over 400 children daily.
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