History of the YWCA of Canton, OH

1909 YWCA incorporated and received its first charter
1910 20 gym classes, as well as sewing, millinery, dressmaking, cooking, English Literature, German, French and guitar classes were held
1911 The Sunshine Society was organized which was the forerunner for the Girl Reserves, later known as the Y-Teens
1912 Underhill property on South Market was purchased by YWCA Board, becoming its first facility to house a gym and dorm
1916 First swimming class was held
1927 First social dance was held on a Saturday night
1935 YWCA collaborated with YMCA to sponsor free educational classes to unemployed women and men
1949 Capital Campaign for a new building began
1951 The 6th Street building dedication took place
1986 YWCA converted the residence to an emergency homeless shelter
1986 Swimming pool closed
1989 YWCA opened the Ralston-Farrell Family Shelter
1992 YWCA was the first in Stark County to be awarded low income Housing Tax Credits
1993 Infant/Toddler Center opened above old pool area
1994 New Beginnings Transitional Housing facility opened
1995 Preschool expanded to serve 52 children
1997 School-age program expanded to year round
1999 Capital Campaign - major renovations to 6th Street building
2000 Kresge Challenge Grant received
2001 YWCA opened Gateway Estates, permanent supportive housing for the hard-to-house homeless
2002 YWCA Childcare Center received accreditation from the National Association for the Education of Young Children
2004 YWCA received HeadStart Plus Grant, serving 151 children & their families
2004 YWCA led a consortium with other childcare centers to initiate a HeadStart Plus program in Stark County. The YWCA was the administrator for this program
2005 Received a two year Early Learning Initiative (ELI) serving 192 children through out Stark County
2006 The YWCA brought Canton Preschool under its umbrella
2007 Early Childhood Learning Center is re-accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children
2008 Award of tax credits for Gateway House II
2008 YWCA Emergency Shelter & New Beginnings Housing receive the ODOD Director's Award for Excellence in Housing & Community Service
2009 Awarded position of umbrella agency for Rapid Re-housing
2009 Designed & implemented a Rapid Re-housing program for Stark County
2009 YWCA of Canton receives the Fair Housing Award for Outstanding Service in the Area of Fair Housing, Stark County Association of Realtors
2009 Canton Preschool awarded 2 Stars in Step Up To Quality
2010 Construction start on Gateway House II
2010 Early Childhood Learning Center awarded 2 Stars in Step Up To Quality
2011 Gateway House II opened in September