Community Outreach
In the years since our founding in 1870 as the Colored Women’s Christian Association, a key element of our vision has consistently been support of social, educational and entertainment events for organizations, families, and youth. Well into the 1960s, before court-ordered desegregation opened hotels, other venues and social organizations to all citizens, the Southwest Belmont YWCA at 16th and Catharine Streets in South Philadelphia (our most recent predecessor organization) served as the social and cultural center for African-Americans in the Philadelphia region. SWBCA, Inc. currently sponsors and supports activities consistent with our mission and in partnership with other organizations.
Past Outreach Programs
2017
Awarded $1,250 to support the program at Temple University that brings youth from inner-city Philadelphia to the school’s Abington Campus for a special day-long orientation to the programs and class offerings.
2016
Awarded $ 2,500 to support a newly established arts academy offering training for African American youth in classical and traditional music and arts and $ 2,500 to support the College Bound Academy at Temple University which operates educational experiences for children in foster care.
2015
Awarded separate community grants to support the following work: $ 1,500 to a summer youth program for teens and adolescents at Belmont Mansion to train them as docents at a museum of historic site; and $ 2,500 to the After School Activities Partnership for Philadelphia Public School Students (ASAP) to support their ongoing, very effective district-wide program.
2014
Approved a $1,000 educational grant to Global Charter School in West Philadelphia to support its program to give their students an overseas experience. A second award was made in this year to provide a $1,500 scholarship to the Pennsylvania Chapter of the National Coalition of 100 Black Women to be awarded to a college student.
2013
Before the Anne M, Garrott Leadership Scholarship Endowment was operational, the SWBCA, Inc. Board funded scholarships totaling $ 10,000 to college students awarded through five women’s groups: local chapters of Alpha Kappa Alpha National Sorority and Delta Sigma Theta National Sorority, Inc., the Metropolitan Philadelphia Continental Society, the Bucks County Links, and the National Coalition of 100 Black Women’s Pennsylvania Chapter.