Wilmington, DE - Thursday, July 8, 2021 Google.org has awarded $20,000 to YWCA Delaware to support its YW Strive program, which will deliver comprehensive workforce development and digital skills training to Delaware's vulnerable populations.

The YW Strive program offers a broad digital skills curriculum and increases workforce development opportunities for individuals most affected by economic depression, unemployment, and barriers to work. 

YW Strive will be incorporated into YWCA Delaware's workforce development program, Wo(men) Achieving New Directions (WAND). The workforce development grant will help cover the costs of participants' tuition and fees, case management, counseling, career matching, and supportive services (including financial capability, health and safety, housing security, and nutrition and client assistance) to uncover and address participants' underlying needs and to help ensure that participants succeed. 

"We are thrilled to partner with Google and YWCA USA to help women and communities of color achieve their full social and economic potential. This funding will help individuals secure employment opportunities with competitive wages and help create a more vibrant, skilled workforce in Delaware," said Stephanie Staats, YWCA Delaware CEO. 

"Part of the success of our WAND program is due to our dedicated case managers who follow up to make sure that barriers like transportation, childcare, lack of time management skills, or hesitance due to trauma – do not stand in the way of accessing services and gaining successful employment. YW Strive will expand WAND’s job training and placement programs for individuals who struggle to secure or retain living-wage employment."

Last year, 436 clients participated in YWCA Delaware's WAND programming, which provides workforce development and modern job searching skills. 90% of the participants increased their household income within 12 months of program completion. To learn more about YWCA Delaware's WAND program, visit www.ywcade.org/wand.