Baton Rouge, LA — The Louisiana Housing Corporation (LHC) and the YWCA of Greater Baton Rouge opened the doors to the YWCA Women’s Empowerment Center, an essential hub that will provide women's empowerment services, family resources, healthcare and recreation, and economic empowerment and self-sufficiency techniques to children, families, and individuals of the Baton Rouge region.
The YWCA Women’s Empowerment Center and the LHC through strategic collaboration with the YWCA of Greater Baton Rouge envisioned that the center could be utilized in a more efficient way to serve the community.
The Women’s Empowerment Center will house 30 YWCA employees who are skilled in various departments such as educational support, outreach, case management, career readiness training, and life-advancing programs for families. Some of the programs and services include domestic violence and prevention, early childhood education/Early Head Start services, homeless prevention, rental assistance, financial literacy, fitness programs, mental and physical health services, and indigent legal assistance.
"The Louisiana Housing Corporation is eternally grateful for the partnership with YWCA of Greater Baton Rouge, and we believe the Women’s Empowerment Center will not only provide the necessary resources for families but also become a haven," said LHC Executive Director Kevin Delahoussaye. "The center will serve those in need and also include housing components like homelessness prevention and rental assistance. By having this center, we can directly help those who need these resources."
"The opening of the YWCA Women's Empowerment Center marks a transformative moment for our community," said YWCA Greater Baton Rouge CEO Dianna Payton. "Through this partnership with the Louisiana Housing Corporation and our other community partners, we are creating a safe space where women and families can access critical resources that offer stability, self-sufficiency, and growth. We are so proud of this Center that will serve as a symbol of hope and empowerment for the women and families in our community that we serve, ensuring they have the support they need to thrive."
The Mid City Gardens building came into existence in 2013, and $14,136,800 in Neighborhood Stabilization Funds and $380,418 in HOME Funds were utilized to bring the building to life.