Racial Equity
YWCA is on a mission to eliminate racism, empower women, stand up for social justice, help families and strengthen communities.
The YWCA White Plains & Central Westchester launched the Westchester Center for Racial Equity in April 2021 after years of planning. The Center advances the YWCA’s mission by being a dedicated space for working towards racial equity in Westchester County. The Center offers a vision for sustaining antiracist work throughout the County and provides community and resources for individuals and organizations committed to racial equity, racial justice, and anti-racism.
The foundation of the Westchester Center for Racial Equity’s work is racial healing – a tool that can facilitate trust and build authentic relationships that bridge divides created by real and perceived differences. It is a process that restores individuals and communities to wholeness, repairs the damage caused by racism and transforms societal structures into ones that affirm the inherent value of all people. (W. K. Kellogg Foundation) From this foundation, the Center works toward racial equity through 5 Pillars of work: Hub, Training, Signature Events, Leadership Development, and Accountability and assessment.
Services Offered at the WCRE— Let’s Connect!
The Westchester Center for Racial Equity (WCRE) at the YWCA of White Plains & Central Westchester offers transformative services to promote racial justice, education, and advocacy in our community. Through workshops, customized training, direct services, community dialogue, and partnerships, we provide individuals and organizations with the tools needed to challenge systemic racism and foster racial equity.
We work with businesses, schools, and community groups to create actionable strategies for meaningful change. Whether seeking leadership skills, team building, training and development, or community engagement, the WCRE offers expert guidance and impactful solutions.
Please contact Dr. Jennifer D. Lewis, Director of the Westchester Center for Racial Equity, to learn how we can collaborate to create a more inclusive and equitable future. She can be reached at JLewis@ywcawpcw.org or 914-949-6227, ext. 157
Following is a few of our offerings:
Racial Equity Training: The program delves into topics such as the history of race and racism in America, implicit bias and how it has shaped our country, and the role each person plays in creating a more equitable and just society. Participants leave the session equipped to recognize racist behaviors and practices in their personal lives.
Customized training and education: The tailored programs are designed specifically to the client's needs to foster inclusion, strengthen teams, and cultivate a culture of racial equity in the workplace. Through expert facilitation, interactive sessions, and real-world applications, participants build the skills to address systemic inequities and exercise empathy and awareness. Whether the client wants to enhance leadership capabilities, improve communication, address conflict, become aware of unconscious bias, or foster a more inclusive environment, the training provides the tools and strategies to create lasting change.
Direct Services: The WCRE works with managers, leaders, and the board of trustees to assess their internal practices and policies through a racial equity lens. The process may uncover areas where systemic racism may be present and offer guidance and recommendations for creating more inclusive environments. This work may include evaluating hiring and retention, leadership practices, performance management, utilization of 360 assessments and psychometric instruments, and customized programming.
Partnerships: The WCRE welcomes opportunities to collaborate with others whose mission and purpose align. Recognizing that collective action is essential for lasting change, the WCRE collaborates with other social justice organizations, grassroots movements, consultants, and coalitions to amplify its advocacy and community efforts. These partnerships ensure that the work is comprehensive and inclusive, addressing the needs of all marginalized communities.