The YWCA is the oldest and largest multicultural women's organization in the world. Across the globe, we have more than 25 million members in 122 countries, including 2 million members in 300 local associations in the United States. More important than the numbers, is our mission to eliminate racism and empower women. We provide safe places for women and girls, build strong women leaders, and advocate for women's rights and civil rights in Congress.



Women come to us in times of crisis, as survivors of rape or domestic violence. They come for job training and career counseling. They come for childcare. They come for health and fitness. They come for a variety of reasons. But they come. And they leave with a renewed spirit, new skills, and stronger lives.

YWCA associations are divided by regions nationwide. This enables our associations to pool resources, provide additional services for their clients and combine their voices for change at the national and local levels.

1855----YWCA was founded in England in as a Bible Study group and safe refuge for nurses going to the Crimean War.



1858----YWCA USA was founded in NYC and Boston. YWCAs spurred many firsts such as daycare, practical nursing school for women, interracial conferences, campaigns for the eight hour day, prohibition of night work and the right of labor to organize.



1867----The first meeting of the YWCA was held in Vermont, but no real organization and activity resulted at this time.



1919----The National YWCA sent a staff person to Rutland to organize a new YW. She contacted people who worked for the University of Vermont in Burlington and Middlebury College. YWCAs were soon established in St. Johnsbury, Rutland, Montpelier, Brattleboro and Burlington.

• The Mission was to “empower” women; a modern term that showed what they were working towards.


• One of the earliest programs established in the Burlington area was the Blue Triangle Hospitality Club. Located in the Follett House, there were accommodations for transients and a cafeteria that fed 40,000 meals in the first ten months of its existence.


• The YWCA organized outing clubs, reserve clubs, conferences, career days for high schoolers, Travelers Aid, Y Business Clubs, and World Fellowship programs, all designed to benefit girls. Two camps were started: Camp Worthwhile and Camp Hochelaga.


• YWCA Vermont operated in many locations throughout the city of Burlington including addresses on Church Street and Pine Street.

1919----The YWCA started the first all female camp on the shores and the banks of what today is known as Oakledge Park. Mr. Samuel and Lila Vanderbilt Webb were the owners of the property and thought that a trial period would be necessary to see if it would be a great place for girls to spend their summers.



1926----Camp Hochelaga moved to the shores of Lake Champlain in South Hero, Vermont where today it is still owned and operated by the YWCA of Vermont.



1928----All Vermont Branches merged to form the Vermont District of the YWCA.



1963----A group of women canvassed the community to raise pledges of $40,000 to buy 278 Main Street in Burlington from the Allen Family. Built in 1806, it was one of the oldest homes in Burlington (one of the 200 oldest in the 1960’s). They were able to raise the money for the $27,000 purchase price. There was little structural work to be done, but painting, wallpapering, and brightened up the house so that it could be opened up as a female residential and activity house.

• The main floor was devoted to activity rooms for the YW and other groups for classes, meetings, teas and receptions.


• The second floor held four single rooms for permanent residents, two double rooms for transients and two rooms for the Housemother who gave guidance and wise counsel.

1967

----Having paid the mortgage in full, the women of the YWCA burned the mortgage!

May 11, 2000

----The Camp Hochelaga dining hall/lodge was lost to a fire.

May 2001

----The new Weld Lodge was built with updates to the kitchen and a bigger dining space.

March 11, 2002

----YWCA sold 278 Main Street to COTS so that the original mission of providing transitional housing to families with children could continue for those in need.

August 9th 2008

----Dedication of the newly built Arts and Crafts Building at Camp Hochelaga.