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A safe, stable place to call home is essential for building a strong future. At YWCA Central Massachusetts, our Transitional Housing Program provides short-term, affordable housing for women who need a secure place to live as they work toward stability and independence.

Whether you are at risk of losing your housing or currently without a place to stay due to rising rent, paycheck to paycheck, an abusive relationship, recovery from addiction, an unexpected crisis, or other challenges, the YWCA is here to support you. Our goal is simple: fewer women experiencing homelessness and more women taking meaningful steps toward a brighter, more stable future.

The Transitional Housing Program offers private, single-room units for up to two years, with fees based on income. Residents have access to shared community spaces, including a kitchen and living area, while also maintaining the privacy of their own furnished room. This balance fosters both independence and a sense of community, creating opportunities to build connections and support networks along the way.

Taking this step can feel overwhelming, but you are not alone. As YWCA Director of Housing and Shelter Dialougu Sissoko shares, “Housing is a human right.” The program follows a “housing first” philosophy, welcoming women without judgment of their past or current circumstances. Whether you are a student, in recovery, or working to save your own apartment, this program can be a vital part of your journey toward self-sufficiency.

Participants are encouraged to take full advantage of the resources available. The YWCA provides comprehensive case management support, including assistance with education, mental health, financial stability, and more empowering each woman to take meaningful steps toward long-term success.

Like many participants, Megan discovered that the program’s impact is closely tied to the effort you invest. As one staff member shared, participants “get as much as they put in.” Residents have access to a wide range of services. These include case management support in education, mental health, and financial stability. The program gives residents the tools, but they must take the initiative. Megan embraced these opportunities fully. She gained valuable skills in “budgeting and savings,” she said. She also secured a Section 8 voucher, which helped her transition into stable housing after the program.

For Megan and many of our residents, the program was not just a place to stay, it was the foundation upon which she built a life.

Donate to support our participants!

To submit an application click the following link: YWCA Transitional Housing Program Application

For further questions about the program email: swilson@ywcacm.org

For long-time YWCA supporter Dr. Jen Bradford, giving back is her entire world. As a family medicine physician who has served the Worcester community for 15 years, she has been committed to caring for individuals and families at all stages of life. Dr. Bradford believes that community health “extends beyond the exam room.” The well-being of people starts by addressing broader social and structural issues. In addition to her clinical work, Dr. Bradford is a board member of the YWCA, furthering her efforts in promoting equity, empowerment, and healthier communities.

The YWCA’s mission of eliminating racism and empowering women creates a pathway for individuals to reach their full potential and have a sense of belonging. This is why Dr. Bradford dedicates her time and support to YWCA programs. It serves women, children, and families so they can continue or begin their journey to success. With her help, stronger, healthier, and more equitable communities can arise.

Of all the programs available at the YWCA, the one that has resonated most deeply with Dr. Bradford is the Transitional Housing Program. This program offers women from diverse circumstances safe, affordable housing. It gives women a foundation so that they can focus on other concerns, such as their health, employment, and overall well-being. The reason this program resonates with Dr. Bradford is that she has seen firsthand “how deeply housing instability affects both physical and mental health.” Having a place to call home gives individuals a boost towards success, which is why support for such programs is crucial.

“Offering time, presence, understanding, and care” when people need it the most is what true generosity is all about. Dr. Bradford gives her generosity through supporting YWCA programs that help uplift women and empower communities, leaving a meaningful and lasting difference in their lives. She urges people to support the YWCA as she does:

“For the YWCA to continue advancing this important work and driving lasting societal change, it needs strong and sustained community support. Ongoing financial contributions and volunteer engagement are important to ensure that its programs remain impactful. Through collective investment and action, we can help build a more just and equitable world.” 

Jen’s story shows how generosity can be impactful to communities. Join her in supporting YWCA’s mission in eliminating racism and empowering women by showing your support for our programs!

Donate Today and share your YW stories with us! Email info@ywcacm.org.

For Jennifer Safford, the YWCA is more than just an organization. It is a place that has shaped her family, her career, and her community for over 25 years.

Jennifer has lived in Worcester all her life and has built her career in education and youth development. She now works at Clark University. She is a proud parent of three young adults and serves on the YWCA Board of Directors. Her connection to the YWCA started years ago when her nephew joined the early education programs, and it has only grown since then.

Jennifer’s connection to the YWCA has grown in many ways over the years. She has joined the Racial Justice Task Force, taken part in fitness programs, and experienced the YWCA as a parent when her oldest son went to daycare and her daughter attended preschool. Through every stage of her life, the YWCA has been a steady presence and has always felt like home.

These experiences have given Jennifer a strong connection to the YWCA’s childcare programs. She knows firsthand how high-quality early education can help families. She is also proud to support the YWCA’s Domestic Violence programs and its mission to eliminate racism. She believes this work is essential for building stronger, safer, and more just communities.

To Jennifer, generosity means more than just giving money. It is about helping in any way you can, whether through your time, attention, advocacy, or caring for others. Every way of giving matters, and every contribution helps strengthen the YWCA’s work.

Jennifer’s message to anyone thinking about supporting the YWCA is simple: thank you. It takes a community working together to provide the programs, services, safe spaces, and sense of home that the YWCA gives to people across Central Massachusetts. Supporting the YWCA means investing in families, empowering women, and helping to create a future where everyone can thrive.

Jennifer’s story shows what the YWCA stands for: a place where families grow, communities become stronger, and lasting change begins.

Donate Today and share your story with us!

For longtime YWCA supporter Shelley Rodman, “giving back” is more than just a phrase. It’s a way of life shaped by her values and a strong belief in strengthening communities from within. Originally from Ohio, Shelley built her life and career in nonprofit management before settling in Worcester with her husband, Todd. Over the years, she has learned firsthand that strong communities rely on both public policy and the generosity of others. This is why she gives not only through civic participation but also through personal philanthropy, especially to organizations whose missions reflect her own principles. The YWCA is definitely one of them.

Shelley’s introduction to the YWCA came early. Her mother worked for the YWCA of Greater Cleveland, giving her a front-row seat to the breadth and depth of the organization’s work. It planted a seed, a quiet awareness that the YWCA touches lives in more ways than most people realize.

Years later, after moving to Worcester and volunteering with the United Way of Central Massachusetts, Shelley met former Executive Director of the YWCA Central Massachusetts, Linda Cavaioli. That relationship eventually led to an invitation to join the Board of Directors, a turning point that allowed her to see the organization up close. When she joined the board, Shelley was encouraged to serve on committees traditionally dominated by men, like the finance and investment committees. For Shelley, that moment reflected what the YWCA stood for, and she thought, “I’m so happy to say that I always know the YWCA will prepare women for life in every way.”

Of all the programs the organization offers, few stand out to her on a personal level. The first is the YWCA’s transitional housing program, which provides crucial support for women and families facing homelessness or instability. As Shelley describes it, “such an unknown part of what the YWCA offers, so important and so rare.” The second is childcare and early childhood education. She noted, “When I was balancing work and motherhood, I wondered why it had to be so hard.  I hoped that it would be different when my daughter was an adult.  But it isn’t.  Childcare benefits all of us. And kids who have been in childcare are usually much readier for Kindergarten.” Lastly, she deeply values the YWCA’s broad work in domestic violence education, prevention, and intervention. She emphasizes the importance of increasing community awareness while simultaneously supporting survivors through protective shelters and services. For her, this work safeguards not just individuals but the health of the entire community.

 “My long-time involvement with the YWCA has deepened my trust in the organization and my commitment to the mission. This trust is what moves her to continue giving—and what inspires her to encourage others to do the same.” Shelley’s message to prospective donors is simple and joyful: “Do it! The YWCA makes our Worcester community stronger.”

This season reminds us of the power of generosity. Shelley’s story is a testament to how sustained support can shape not just an organization, but a whole community. Her journey shows that giving back is not about the size of the gift, but the belief behind it. Now, she invites you to join her.

Donate Today and share your story with us!

In the United States, one in four women aged 18 and older have suffered severe physical violence from an intimate partner. Every month, an average of more than 70 women lose their lives to intimate partner. Every day, victims of domestic violence face the threat of escalating harm—sometimes with fatal consequences. The YWCA’s Domestic Violence High Risk Teams directly address and prevent these tragedies.

The YWCA is committed to reducing violence against women and girls. To learn more about this crucial work, we sat down with Tara Huard, Director of Domestic Violence Services, to paint a clearer image of the YWCA’s Domestic Violence (DV) High Risk Teams.

“Our DV High Risk Teams works to increase safety for victims and hold those who use violence accountable, with the goal of preventing serious harm or homicide.” Research shows that many domestic violence-related homicides are both predictable and preventable.

The team focuses on four core components:

• Early identification of the most dangerous cases through risk assessment
• Enhanced access to supportive services for victims
• Increased monitoring and accountability for offenders
• Coordinated response through a multidisciplinary team approach.

Altogether, these strategies not only save lives but also strengthen community collaboration.

Our DV High Risk Teams improve safety for survivors by ensuring faster, more coordinated responses to high-risk situations. They increase access to vital resources for victims while developing immediate, individualized intervention plans that prioritize survivor safety and offender accountability. “Advocates can connect survivors directly with detectives on the team, which often reduces the stress and confusion that can come with reporting through traditional response systems.” The collaborative nature of working with the DV High Risk Teams can help build a greater sense of trust and safety, allowing them to feel more confident throughout the process.

This kind of coordination did not always exist. Before the team started, agencies often worked separately. As a result, critical information was lost, victims’ needs were left unmet, and offenders walked away without consequence. Since the DV High Risk Teams began, agencies have come together, sharing information and facilitating a more collaborative response procedure. This has ensured that survivors are receiving timely and efficient support.

Huard also serves on a subcommittee of the Governor’s Council for Addressing Domestic and Sexual Violence. They were recently updating the 2017 Domestic Violence Law Enforcement Guidelines when Huard noticed that the definition of strangulation did not align with the federal definition. She brought this issue to the attention of Senator Robyn Kennedy who then presented Bill S.1145, An Act Relative to the Definition of Strangulation. Huard shared that her work as part of the YWCA’s DV High Risk Teams greatly informs her advocacy because it provides her with direct insight into the most dangerous patterns of domestic violence, including strangulation, which is often a predictor of lethality. She said, “This experience underscores how the team’s work can influence policy and systemic change to better protect survivors.”

Huard also noted, “The previous law created ambiguity in how officers, district attorneys, and judges responded to these cases, leaving survivor safety dependent on individual interpretation. By clarifying the law, we aim to ensure that strangulation is treated with the seriousness it deserves, hold offenders appropriately accountable, and provide a stronger legal framework to protect survivors.”

Join the YWCA in supporting survivors by believing them and showing compassion. Avoid judgement or giving simplistic advice like, “Just leave.” It is important to shift the narrative. Focus on holding those who use violence accountable and creating a culture that prioritizes safety, support, and prevention.

Support the Domestic Violence Services at the YWCA by donating through https://ywcacm.org/donate/.

If you or someone you know needs help, reach our 24-hour helpline at 508-755-9030 or our 24-hour chatline at ywcahelp.com.