Who We Are

We provide individuals and families with the support and tools they need to heal from trauma, build skills, and access resources, leading to peace, justice and dignity for all.

YWCA Carlisle & Cumberland County provides both crisis services and educational programs.  Programs range from Preschool, Education Programs, Support Groups, Women’s Groups, and After School Programming, to Sexual Assault Crisis Services, ranging from the 24-hour Crisis Hotline to Counseling.  Both Staff & Volunteer Advocates support sexual assault and human trafficking clients in ERs, Law Enforcement Settings, Court Proceedings, and Child Advocacy Center Appointments.

We work to bring out the individual strengths of women and youth and to foster resiliency and self-sufficiency. Our philosophy, in keeping with the mission of the YWCA to support women and families, centers on providing the skills and confidence needed to succeed.

YWCA is proud to be the oldest and largest women’s movement, providing services for women and their families in our community.

Our local programs and services have furthered the YWCA vision of peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all people since 1919. Over the past 107 years, programs have evolved and have included educational and employment classes for women, teen clubs, community dialogue groups to discuss race relations, child care centers, a youth resource center, and summer camp programming.

Eliminating Racism, Empowering Women and Promoting Peace, Justice, Freedom and Dignity for all.

YWCA MISSION

Our Values

A Compassionate Community

Respect

Honesty and Integrity

Non-Violence

Collaboration

Justice and Fairness

The Dignity of All People

Key Dates in YWCA History

  • 1919

    YWCA Carlisle hosted our first board meeting.

  • 1920s

    YWCA Carlisle opened the area’s first day care center in the area, which has fostered other day-care centers in the county.

  • 1930s

    We provided food to those in need and established clubs for African American Girls.

  • 1972

    We moved to the YMCA facility to provide social clubs and daycare services.

  • 1990

    We built our current home at 301 G Street on land donated by the George Family.

  • 2025

    We expanded our service area to include Adams County, obtaining office space in Gettysburg to provide services.

  • Today

    We proudly serve both Cumberland and Adams County. We provide Sexual Assault and Human Trafficking response services.

A Long History with Real Impact.

We pride ourselves on the impact we make in our community.

6,372
Community Members served though prevention education and direct support.

834
Survivors and loved ones found safety, healing, and hope through our services.

2458
Hours of counseling helped survivors rebuild confidence.

How We make an Impact

  • Sexual Assault/Rape Crisis Services

    Support survivors and their families.

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  • Education Department

    Offers prevention education, after school programs, enrichment programs, and professional trainings.

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  • Programs

    Programs to engage and educate community members in both social and educational sessions.

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  • Little Wonders Preschool

    Provides quality early childhood education focusing on social learning and using play-based education.

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  • Pad Pantry

    Addresses period poverty by distributing feminine hygiene products, and our prevention education seeks to create a safer community.

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FAQs

  • YWCA Carlisle & Cumberland County is the service provider for sexual assault and rape crisis services to all of Cumberland County and Adams County.

  • No, YWCA Carlisle does not provide shelter or housing. Many organizations in Cumberland County provide shelter. Please call 211 to find your options.

  • Domestic Violence Services of Cumberland and Perry Counties provides domestic violence services in our county. Don't hesitate to get in touch with DVS for domestic violence-related concerns.

    https://dvscp.org/

  • YWCA and YMCA are two distinct organizations in the Carlisle area. YWCA Provides Sexual Assault/Rape Crisis Services as well as many other programs, activities, and initiatives. YMCA provides fitness and wellness programs and initiatives.

  • YWCA Carlisle & Cumberland County has a preschool on campus, while we are located in Carlisle, any student is welcome to sign up! Little Wonder's Preschool has two age groups: 3-4 and 4-5 years old.

  • We do not have a fitness center or pool.

  • Virtually all YW programs and services are open to men and women, boys and girls. We are open to anyone who supports our impact in Cumberland County.

  • No. While YWCA originated as the Young Women's Christian Association, we are not religiously affiliated and accept everyone no matter their personal religious affiliation.

  • We have many rooms available for meetings and community groups. Please call us at 717.243.3818 to learn more!