Women, Children, Community.

Since 1905, the Phyllis Wheatley YWCA has provided a safe place for women to live. Over the years, our work has expanded to include women and children in our Shaw community and throughout Washington, DC.

901 Rhode Island Avenue

Housed in a historic building at the corner of Ninth Street and Rhode Island Avenue in the Shaw community of Washington, DC, Phyllis Wheatley YWCA is a nonprofit organization that operates as an independent living facility for women.

To preserve this historic landmark, the Phyllis Wheatley YWCA Board, in collaboration with our partners and with the support of the District of Columbia Government, undertook a major building renovation in 2015. The building reopened on June 23, 2017, with 84-units, ready to continue our century-long tradition of providing women with a safe place to live.

Supporting the Community from 1920 to Present

The Phyllis Wheatley Young Women’s Association has been a beacon of hope and empowerment, serving as a pillar of support for women and children in the District of Columbia for over a century.

We are dedicated to providing affordable housing and supportive services to women in transition, as a vital resource to prevent homelessness and foster stability in our community. In addition, through our programming for children, we seek to nurture the next generation and shape a brighter future for our community.

Linda Irizarry
President, Board of Directors
  • Protecting your local area and making it more climate friendly.
  • Taking government to court over climate-wrecking projects.
  • Fighting for environmental and social justice globally.

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What's Happening at PWYWCA

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Our community needs you. Attend an event and bring a friend. Volunteer. Lead a workshop for our residents. Organize a clothing drive. Donate. There are so many ways to get involved. If you want to lend a hand, we're here to help you find your way.