Upcoming events.
Adult Survivor Gathering
The first Monday of each month, YWCA Lancaster’s Sexual Assault Prevention and Counseling Center will be hosting a gathering for any adults who have experienced sexual assault.
Breaking Silence: Open Mic
Empowerment through poetry and spoken word
Transforming the narrative for survivors with community, self-love, and voice.
Step up to the mic, and together, we break the silence.
Summer Camp Registration - SDOL
Summer Camp Registration!
YWCA Lancaster Summer Camp
Tuesday, March 11th
SDOL registrations here at 110 N. Lime St., Lancaster – 4:30pm to 6:30pm
Information Needed at Registration
Health insurance info
A form of payment (check, money order, card)
The name, phone number, and address for two (2) other emergency contacts besides the parent.
Please bring a current health assessment with immunization records.
Adventure, Learning, and Fun Await at YWCA Lancaster’s Summer Camp!
Give your child a summer full of excitement, exploration, and new friendships at YWCA Lancaster’s Summer Camp! Our engaging program blends outdoor adventures, hands-on learning, creative arts, and team-building activities in a safe and supportive environment. Led by experienced staff, campers will enjoy themed weeks, field trips, and plenty of opportunities to grow, play, and make lasting memories.
Spots fill fast!
Summer Camp Registration - Penn Manor
Summer Camp Registration!
YWCA Lancaster Summer Camp
Wednesday, March 12th
Penn Manor registrations are at Hambright Elementary – 3000 Charlestown Rd., Lancaster, PA – 4:00pm to 6:00pm
Information Needed at Registration
Health insurance info
A form of payment (check, money order, card)
The name, phone number, and address for two (2) other emergency contacts besides the parent.
Please bring a current health assessment with immunization records.
Adventure, Learning, and Fun Await at YWCA Lancaster’s Summer Camp!
Give your child a summer full of excitement, exploration, and new friendships at YWCA Lancaster’s Summer Camp! Our engaging program blends outdoor adventures, hands-on learning, creative arts, and team-building activities in a safe and supportive environment. Led by experienced staff, campers will enjoy themed weeks, field trips, and plenty of opportunities to grow, play, and make lasting memories.
Spots fill fast!
Weathering Change, Together.
Weathering Change, Together.
Stories that Move Us Through
Join us for a unique community conversation that welcomes your grounding values, your empathy and your stories, coming to life onstage through the magic of Playback Theatre.
YWCA Lancaster, Advoz, and River Crossing Playback Theatre are inviting a new kind of conversation space through the vivid drama of Playback Theater, where stories from the audience are “played back” in a way that honors our diverse experiences and our common humanity. You’ll be invited to step away from “the news” and witness, even tell, stories of uncertainty, hope, and strength in our community.
You are invited to connect, discuss, and witness, even tell, stories of the deep challenges of these times and the sources of resilience and strength that live in our community.
This evening will weave improvisational theatre artistry and facilitated small-group discussions to connect and learn from one another about “weathering change, together” in 2025.
Friday, March 14, 2025 6:30-8:30pm
Location: YWCA Lancaster
For many of us, so much is at stake: trust in our neighbors; values of inclusion and diversity; programs and people who work for the public good; and the thriving and well-being of women, BIPOC folks, immigrant communities, LGBTQ+ folks, and more.
Each of us affected carries a story of why we continue to show up - for ourselves, for our neighbors and for our deepest values.
In this time of crisis, we welcome you to gather, to reflect and to ground ourselves in the stories that teach us who we are, what we value, and the hope that calls us to protect and care for one another.
River Crossing Playback is a theater group building community through the dramatic portrayal of real-life stories in the Susquehanna River Valley. In Playback Theatre, a form practiced in more than forty countries, audience members share experiences and watch them played back in a way that honors our diverse experiences and our common humanity. We are delighted to return to the YWCA for this second Playback gathering.
Advoz: Mediation and Restorative Practices has been offering forums for community building, conflict resolution and restorative justice in and beyond Lancaster since 1981.
LGBTQIA+ Support Group
YWCA Lancaster, in partnership with Lititz Chooses Love and Everlasting Wellness, offers a supportive group for young adults in the LGBTQIA+ community. This group provides a safe space to connect, share experiences, and receive support, fostering a sense of belonging and well-being.
Women's Empowerment Circle
Women's Empowerment Circle: Cultivating Self-Love Through Ubuntu
A Wellness Fair and Circle for Self-Love, Healing, and Community
Date: March 19, 2025
Location: YWCA, N. 110 Lime Street, Lancaster PA
Time: 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Join Dr. Chynaah Maryoung-Cooke & YWCA Lancaster's Center for Racial & Gender Equity and Sexual Assault Prevention and Counseling Center for an evening of self-discovery, empowerment, and connection through the African philosophy of Ubuntu—"I am because we are."
Whether you participate in the empowerment circle or explore interactive activity stations, this event invites you to embrace self-love, agency, and community support. The event includes a drumming circle with Lisa Fairman: Experience self-expression through rhythm. Women are encouraged to join in the drumming and movement to embody empowerment and connection.
This event is an opportunity to journey together in self-love, healing, and community. Every woman/female-identifying individual has the agency to engage in a way that feels right for her.
Light refreshments and childcare are provided!
Breaking Silence: Open Mic
Empowerment through poetry and spoken word
Transforming the narrative for survivors with community, self-love, and voice.
Step up to the mic, and together, we break the silence.
Adult Survivor Gathering
The first Monday of each month, YWCA Lancaster’s Sexual Assault Prevention and Counseling Center will be hosting a gathering for any adults who have experienced sexual assault.
Adult Survivor Gathering
The first Monday of each month, YWCA Lancaster’s Sexual Assault Prevention and Counseling Center will be hosting a gathering for any adults who have experienced sexual assault.
Adult Survivor Gathering
The first Monday of each month, YWCA Lancaster’s Sexual Assault Prevention and Counseling Center will be hosting a gathering for any adults who have experienced sexual assault.
Adult Survivor Gathering
The first Monday of each month, YWCA Lancaster’s Sexual Assault Prevention and Counseling Center will be hosting a gathering for any adults who have experienced sexual assault.
Adult Survivor Gathering
The first Monday of each month, YWCA Lancaster’s Sexual Assault Prevention and Counseling Center will be hosting a gathering for any adults who have experienced sexual assault.
Adult Survivor Gathering
The first Monday of each month, YWCA Lancaster’s Sexual Assault Prevention and Counseling Center will be hosting a gathering for any adults who have experienced sexual assault.
Adult Survivor Gathering
The first Monday of each month, YWCA Lancaster’s Sexual Assault Prevention and Counseling Center will be hosting a gathering for any adults who have experienced sexual assault.
Adult Survivor Gathering
The first Monday of each month, YWCA Lancaster’s Sexual Assault Prevention and Counseling Center will be hosting a gathering for any adults who have experienced sexual assault.
Adult Survivor Gathering
The first Monday of each month, YWCA Lancaster’s Sexual Assault Prevention and Counseling Center will be hosting a gathering for any adults who have experienced sexual assault.
Racial Equity Profile Action Group
Join Our Racial Equity Profile Action Group
Be part of the change! YWCA Lancaster’s monthly Racial Equity Profile Action Group is a welcoming space for community members to come together, share ideas, and collaborate on actionable steps toward advancing racial equity in Lancaster.
No commitment is required—just bring your ideas, passion, and a desire to make our community stronger and more equitable. Whether you’re new to the conversation or a seasoned advocate, your voice matters, and we’d love to hear it.
Let’s work together to create a community where everyone can thrive!
When: Every third Thursday from 6:00 - 7:30PM
Where: YWCA Lancaster
We can’t wait to see you there!
Registration - Kindergarten Enrichment Program (KEP) - Registration Night
Program Registration!
Kindergarten Enrichment Program (KEP)
Wednesday, February 19, 2025, 4:30pm to 6:30pm – 110 N. Lime St., Lancaster, PA
Inclement Weather make-up date would be Monday, February 24, 2025, same time and place
Information Needed at Registration
Health insurance info.
Please bring a current health assessment with immunization records.
A form of payment (check, money order, card).
The name, phone number, and address for two (2) other emergency contacts besides the parent.
Give Your Kindergartener a Strong Start with YWCA Lancaster’s Kindergarten Enrichment Program!
Looking for a fun, engaging way to enhance your child’s kindergarten experience? YWCA Lancaster’s Kindergarten Enrichment Program provides hands-on learning, creative activities, and social development to complement their half-day kindergarten schedule. Our caring educators foster a love for learning through STEM projects, arts and crafts, outdoor play, and more—all in a safe, nurturing environment.
Flexible scheduling options are available to fit your family’s needs. Give your child the extra support and excitement they deserve!
RESCHEDULED | 2025 MLK Children's Celebration!
Rooted in Community: Celebrating Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Date: Monday, February 17, 2025
Time: 10:00 AM -1:00 PM
Location: YWCA Lancaster 110 N. Lime St. Lancaster, PA 17603
Join YWCA Lancaster's Center for Racial and Gender Equity and Child Enrichment Centers for our 2025 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Children’s Celebration on Monday, January 20, 2025. Bring the whole family and discover the power of community! Our 2025 theme, "Rooted in Community," shows how big change starts with small acts of kindness and teamwork.
Children who attend will go home with a free book and can enjoy special book readings every hour with our inspiring guest readers:
10:00 AM - Counting on Community with Hawa Lasannah
11:00 AM - Be a King with Salena Coachman
12:00 PM - Giant Steps to Change the World with Rep. Izzy Smith-Wade-El
Join us after the book readings for cupcakes, snacks, a lively drum circle, exciting STEM activities, and fun ways to build connections with others. Together, we’ll celebrate how we can all make a difference in our community and beyond, one small step at a time!
Media Disclaimer:
Photographs, audio recordings, and/or video recordings may be taken during the event by representatives of LNP and YWCA Lancaster. These materials may be used for promotional purposes, including but not limited to social media, websites, publications, and other communications. If you do not wish to be photographed or recorded, please inform the photographers at the event!
LGBTQIA+ Support Group
YWCA Lancaster, in partnership with Lititz Chooses Love and Everlasting Wellness, offers a supportive group for young adults in the LGBTQIA+ community. This group provides a safe space to connect, share experiences, and receive support, fostering a sense of belonging and well-being.
2025 Annual Meeting & Open House
Join us for YWCA Lancaster’s 2025 Annual Meeting and Open House as we unveil the exciting progress of our YForward Renovation Project and celebrate the transformative work being done to empower our community.
Date: Thursday, February 13, 2025
Open House: 4:00PM - 5:15PM, guided tours available
Annual Meeting: 5:30PM – 6:30PM
Location: YWCA Lancaster, 110 N Lime St, Lancaster, PA 17602
Explore the changes happening in our historic Lime Street building, which has stood for 107 years as a cornerstone of equity and empowerment in Lancaster. Enjoy light refreshments and network with community members who are aligned with our mission!
Guided tours will showcase updates to our garden and residence levels and the main floor ADA-compliant elevator. We invite you to see our progress and learn about the ways these improvements will enhance our mission to eliminate racism and empower women.
Together, we’re building the foundation for a more equitable Lancaster, and we’d love for you to be part of this next chapter.
New Choices Course
Join us for our New Choices Career Development class, a no-cost, comprehensive, goal-oriented experience to help you focus your passions and achieve success.
Words of Love: Lunch & Learn
Words of Love:
Celebrating Love and Black Voices
Date: Wednesday, February 12
Time: 12–1 PM
Location: YWCA Lancaster Library Room, 110 N. Lime St, Lancaster, PA 17602
Bring your lunch or snack and let’s gather in community with one another!
In honor of Black History Month and Valentine’s Day, join YWCA Lancaster for a special Lunch and Learn event led by Lancaster City’s Poet Laureate, Dana Kinsey.
Explore love poetry from diverse Black voices
Discuss inspiring poems together
Craft your very own Valentine's poem
No prior poetry experience is needed—just bring your lunch, creativity and love for words!
Space is limited, so RSVP today!
New Choices Course
Join us for our New Choices Career Development class, a no-cost, comprehensive, goal-oriented experience to help you focus your passions and achieve success.
Haven - Virtual Support Group
Haven
Connect with others in your community to support and uplift each other.
Haven is designed for LGBTQ+ youth ages 14-17 to provide:
A judgment-free space for open conversations.
Opportunities to build meaningful connections with peers.
A supportive community focused on empowerment and growth.
New Choices Course
Join us for our New Choices Career Development class, a no-cost, comprehensive, goal-oriented experience to help you focus your passions and achieve success.
New Choices Course
Join us for our New Choices Career Development class, a no-cost, comprehensive, goal-oriented experience to help you focus your passions and achieve success.
Adult Survivor Gathering
The first Monday of each month, YWCA Lancaster’s Sexual Assault Prevention and Counseling Center will be hosting a gathering for any adults who have experienced sexual assault.
New Choices Course
Join us for our New Choices Career Development class, a no-cost, comprehensive, goal-oriented experience to help you focus your passions and achieve success.
New Choices Course
Join us for our New Choices Career Development class, a no-cost, comprehensive, goal-oriented experience to help you focus your passions and achieve success.
Weathering Change Together
Weathering Change Together:
Gathering with our hopes, fears, and resolve for the year to come
How do you hope to “weather change together” in the coming year? What commitments and stories do you hold on to in times of challenge and change?
YWCA Lancaster, Advoz, and River Crossing Playback Theatre are inviting a new kind of conversation space through the vivid drama of Playback Theater, where stories from the audience are “played back” in a way that honors our diverse experiences and our common humanity. You’ll be invited to step away from “the news” and witness, even tell, stories of uncertainty, hope, and strength in our community.
This evening will weave improvisational theatre artistry and facilitated small-group discussions to connect and learn from one another about “weathering change together” in 2025.
Friday, January 24, 2025, 7:00PM - 9:00PM
Location: YWCA Lancaster, 110 N. Lime St. Lancaster, PA 17602
River Crossing Playback is a theater group building community through the dramatic portrayal of real-life stories in the Susquehanna River Valley. In Playback Theatre, a form practiced in more than forty countries, audience members share experiences and watch them played back in a way that honors our diverse experiences and our common humanity.
Investing In Justice
Take action to demand funding for Pennsylvania’s public defenders
Join us for an evening of discussion and action to address Pennsylvania's public defender funding crisis. You'll hear from expert panelists, meet like-minded activists, and learn how you can take action to make sure the commonwealth provides funding for public defenders.
Learn how you can take action to demand funding for Pennsylvania's public defenders!
Investing in Justice: How Strengthening Public Defense Can Transform Communities
Wednesday, January 22, 2025, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
James St. Mennonite Church
323 West James Street
Lancaster, PA 17603
The Healing Power of Art
The Healing Power of Art:
National Day of Racial Healing
Join us as we explore The Healing Power of Art, a transformative event designed to confront the personal hurt and pain caused by racism while fostering education, reflection, and community healing. Through the power of creativity and shared experiences, we aim to bring light to difficult topics and create a space for connection and comfort.
Event Highlights:
Eat & Greet: Build connections with fellow participants over light refreshments.
Racial Healing Circles: Engage in a calming and reflective experience for the mind and body.
Community Mural: Express yourself and contribute to our “The Power of Expression” mural, a collective testament to resilience and hope.
Event Details:
Date: Tuesday, January 21, 2025
Time: 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Location: F&M Steinman College Center, Booth-Ferris Multi-Purpose Room, 628 College Avenue, Lancaster, PA 17603
Additional Parking:
415 Harrisburg Avenue, Lancaster, PA 17603
This event is co-sponsored by Franklin & Marshall College’s Office of Community & Belonging.
Learn more about the National Day of Racial Healing here.
Let’s come together to heal, reflect, and create meaningful change. We can’t wait to see you there!
RESCHEDULED | 2025 MLK Children's Celebration!
Rooted in Community: Celebrating Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Date: Monday, February 17, 2025
Time: 10:00 AM -1:00 PM
Location: YWCA Lancaster 110 N. Lime St. Lancaster, PA 17603
Join YWCA Lancaster's Center for Racial and Gender Equity and Child Enrichment Centers for our 2025 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Children’s Celebration on Monday, January 20, 2025. Bring the whole family and discover the power of community! Our 2025 theme, "Rooted in Community," shows how big change starts with small acts of kindness and teamwork.
Children who attend will go home with a free book and can enjoy special book readings every hour with our inspiring guest readers:
10:00 AM - Counting on Community with Hawa Lasannah
11:00 AM - Be a King with Salena Coachman
12:00 PM - Giant Steps to Change the World with Rep. Izzy Smith-Wade-El
Join us after the book readings for cupcakes, snacks, a lively drum circle, exciting STEM activities, and fun ways to build connections with others. Together, we’ll celebrate how we can all make a difference in our community and beyond, one small step at a time!
Media Disclaimer:
Photographs, audio recordings, and/or video recordings may be taken during the event by representatives of LNP and YWCA Lancaster. These materials may be used for promotional purposes, including but not limited to social media, websites, publications, and other communications. If you do not wish to be photographed or recorded, please inform the photographers at the event!
LGBTQIA+ Support Group
YWCA Lancaster, in partnership with Lititz Chooses Love and Everlasting Wellness, offers a supportive group for young adults in the LGBTQIA+ community. This group provides a safe space to connect, share experiences, and receive support, fostering a sense of belonging and well-being.
Haven - Virtual Support Group
Haven
Connect with others in your community to support and uplift each other.
Haven is designed for LGBTQ+ youth ages 14-17 to provide:
A judgment-free space for open conversations.
Opportunities to build meaningful connections with peers.
A supportive community focused on empowerment and growth.
Adult Survivor Gathering
The first Monday of each month, YWCA Lancaster’s Sexual Assault Prevention and Counseling Center will be hosting a gathering for any adults who have experienced sexual assault.
LGBTQIA+ Support Group
YWCA Lancaster, in partnership with Lititz Chooses Love and Everlasting Wellness, offers a supportive group for young adults in the LGBTQIA+ community. This group provides a safe space to connect, share experiences, and receive support, fostering a sense of belonging and well-being.
Adult Survivor Gathering
The first Monday of each month, YWCA Lancaster’s Sexual Assault Prevention and Counseling Center will be hosting a gathering for any adults who have experienced sexual assault.
This gathering is intended to provide survivors with a safe space to connect with peers who have shared experiences.
Please meet us in person at YWCA Lancaster from 7pm-8pm to gather with other survivors and SAPCC counselors.
If you are unable to attend in person please use the Zoom Meeting ID below to access this virtual gathering. If you are not comfortable or cannot utilize video for this group, please contact WeHearYou@ywcalancaster.org prior to group.
Zoom Meeting ID: 824 3905 7568
No RSVP required
Important note: Adult Survivor Gatherings that fall on holidays will to be moved to the next day (from the Monday Holiday to Tuesday). We will be holding Tuesday meetings on:
Tuesday, January 2nd
Tuesday, September 3rd
For group questions or further zoom information, contact WeHearYou@ywcalancaster.org
Racial Equity Institute
Racial Equity Institute (3-Part Series)
Dates:
Session 1: Tuesday, November 12, 2024
Session 2: Tuesday, November 19, 2024
Session 3: Tuesday, November 26, 2024
Time: 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM
Location: YWCA Lancaster, [Insert Address]
Description:
Join us for YWCA Lancaster’s Racial Equity Institute, a 3-part series designed to help participants understand the deep-rooted impacts of structural racism and how to work toward meaningful change. Through interactive learning and dialogue, this institute will provide the tools and knowledge to challenge racial inequities and foster a more just and inclusive community.
Registration is required and space is limited, so reserve your spot today!
Price: No-cost
Contact: For more information, please contact Hannah Short hshort@ywcalancaster.org
Racial Equity Institute
Racial Equity Institute (3-Part Series)
Dates:
Session 1: Tuesday, November 12, 2024
Session 2: Tuesday, November 19, 2024
Session 3: Tuesday, November 26, 2024
Time: 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM
Location: YWCA Lancaster, [Insert Address]
Description:
Join us for YWCA Lancaster’s Racial Equity Institute, a 3-part series designed to help participants understand the deep-rooted impacts of structural racism and how to work toward meaningful change. Through interactive learning and dialogue, this institute will provide the tools and knowledge to challenge racial inequities and foster a more just and inclusive community.
Registration is required and space is limited, so reserve your spot today!
Price: No-cost
Contact: For more information, please contact Hannah Short hshort@ywcalancaster.org
Racial Equity Institute
Racial Equity Institute (3-Part Series)
Dates:
Session 1: Tuesday, November 12, 2024
Session 2: Tuesday, November 19, 2024
Session 3: Tuesday, November 26, 2024
Time: 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM
Location: YWCA Lancaster, [Insert Address]
Description:
Join us for YWCA Lancaster’s Racial Equity Institute, a 3-part series designed to help participants understand the deep-rooted impacts of structural racism and how to work toward meaningful change. Through interactive learning and dialogue, this institute will provide the tools and knowledge to challenge racial inequities and foster a more just and inclusive community.
Registration is required and space is limited, so reserve your spot today!
Price: No-cost
Contact: For more information, please contact Hannah Short hshort@ywcalancaster.org
New Choices Course
Join us for our New Choices Career Development class, a no-cost, comprehensive, goal-oriented experience to help you focus your passions and achieve success.
Mama La Lechera Postpartum Support Group
YWCA Lancaster is proud to partner with Mama La Lechera to host a post-partum support group held every week at YWCA Lancaster!
New Choices Course
Join us for our New Choices Career Development class, a no-cost, comprehensive, goal-oriented experience to help you focus your passions and achieve success.
Love Your Crown
Love Your Crown!
Join us for an empowering event in partnership with Lancaster Public Library and YWCA Lancaster's Center for Racial & Gender Equity! We'll be celebrating the beauty of natural hair with a storytime, followed by a professional stylist sharing expert tips for caring for and embracing your natural crown!
This event also highlights the importance of the proposed CROWN Act in Pennsylvania—a crucial step toward ending hair discrimination. Let’s learn, share, and uplift our community as we work toward equality and self-love.
Date: Saturday, October 26th
Location: Lancaster Public Library, 151 N. Queen Street, Lancaster, PA
Time: 1pm – 2pm
Age Group: Toddlers, Children
This event is free and open to the public. Bring your friends, family, and your beautiful crowns!