YWCA Yakima Capital Campaign
At YWCA Yakima, our mission is to provide a safe and nurturing place where we empower all victims of domestic violence to heal and become self-reliant survivors.
In 2021, YWCA Yakima began an important conversation: what would it take to meet the growing need for domestic violence services in our community?
For years, we tracked the heartbreaking reality that our shelter was operating at capacity. On average, we were forced to turn away more than 400 families each year because there simply was not enough room. After witnessing this need year after year, we made a commitment. We could no longer accept "no" as the answer. We wanted to create a future where more survivors seeking safety could hear "yes."
That vision became possible when the former St. Elizabeth Nursing School property emerged as an opportunity to expand our services and transform survivor support in Yakima County.
Today, that vision is becoming reality. YWCA Yakima is nearing completion of an $18 million capital campaign, including $17 million for construction and $1 million for furnishings and operating expenses. Thanks to the generosity of our community, we have raised nearly all of the funds needed and are less than $300,000 away from reaching our goal.
Rocio's Place remains on schedule to welcome its first families in September 2026. Once open, the new shelter will triple YWCA Yakima's emergency shelter capacity, ensuring more survivors and their children have access to safety, healing, and hope when they need it most.
Together, we are not simply constructing a building. We are creating a place where survivors can rebuild their lives, where families can find refuge, and where our community can say "yes" to safety for generations to come.
Join us on September 16, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. as we celebrate the completion of Rocio's Place— a place of safety, hope, and healing for families fleeing domestic violence. Tours of the newly completed and fully remodeled facility will be available following the ceremony.
Pictured Above: A future communal kitchen.
Pictured Above: A future, safe bedroom for a family of 3.
ON A MISSION
Each year we serve women, men, children, and families who are impacted by intimate partner domestic violence through our free, trauma-informed, confidential programs and services.
Unfortunately, families in crisis are often turned away due to the lack of bed space at our current facility.
Over the last 5 years, we have turned away 2,000+ families seeking safety due to limited shelter capacity.
In 2022 we accepted the opportunity to expand into the original, now historic, St. Elizabeth Nursing School building. The building was graciously donated to us by Hogback Development. The new building will triple our emergency shelter capacity, promote healing and wellness, foster independence, safety and community.
We are on a mission to raise the final $700,000 of our $18 million campaign, and we’re asking our local community to help us cross the finish line. Your investment in the YWCA Bringing It Home II Capital Campaign will change lives.
Contact lcarrillo@ywcayakima.org for more information.
Lasting Change
We provide advocacy based, wrap-around services that are survivor centered and used to embrace each survivor client’s unique strengths, needs, and desires. The goal is to empower the survivor to make good decisions for their future, a task that may sound simple but is very challenging to accomplish in the aftermath of a domestic violence situation.
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We provide legal advocacy, housing advocacy, safety planning, educational classes, emergency and transitional housing.
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We educate our community on the realities of domestic violence. We are passionate about prevention.
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To create lasting change, we must go beyond influencing hearts and minds and strive to transform policies, systems, and communities.
VIDEO UPDATES
Together, we’re building a future where every survivor has a safe place to heal.
FAQs
Why are you expanding?
Our current emergency shelter is consistently at capacity. In 2025 we turned away 400+ families seeking safety in our domestic violence shelter. We must expand to meet the needs of our hurting community.
Will you need additional staff?
Yes, we estimate we will need an additional 12 staff to operate the building successfully.
Will you close your current building?
No, we will not close our current facility. We will operate both facilities in order to meet the needs of our community.
Why use the St. Elizabeth Nursing School Building?
The St. Elizabeth building was graciously donated to us by Hogback Development. The building is located in a prime location (a half block from our current facility) and is in excellent condition. The building was originally a dormitory and is laid out perfectly for shelter bedrooms.
How many families will you be able to serve in the new facility?
The new facility will house 112 emergency shelter beds over 3 floors. Our current facility has 45 emergency shelter beds.
Cymaron, Past Shelter Client
"My children will know what healthy love and relationships looks like because I was able to heal in a safe place..the YWCA."
