YWCA Greater Baton Rouge

We are incredibly thankful to the Baton Rouge Chapter of Jack and Jill of America, Inc. for their generous donation and for creating a beautiful Book Nook for the children of the moms we serve at our Women’s Empowerment Center, a special space where kids can get lost in stories, imagination, and hope!

It was especially fitting to celebrate this gift with a ribbon cutting ceremony on MLK Day, a day dedicated to service and strengthening our community. This Book Nook will be a place of joy, learning, and possibility for years to come.

Thank you, Jack and Jill of Baton Rouge, for your partnership and your heart for service!

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YWCA Greater Baton Rouge was built by women, for women. When Dianna Payton stepped up as CEO in 2016, a resurgence took root. In addition to the Early Head Start program the organization has long supported, it has expanded to provide legal and domestic violence support services, workforce development, a community bail fund and more.

In 2024, the organization opened Providence Place Apartments, offering fully furnished long-term housing to women and children as they rebuild their lives after overcoming significant obstacles, such as trauma, loss and domestic violence. And earlier this year, the Women’s Empowerment Center on North Boulevard opened its doors to offer a holistic approach to mental health care and crisis intervention.

“The goal is to make sure that another woman never has to feel as if she has to travel this journey alone," Payton says. "We’ll walk shoulder to shoulder with you. And if you can’t walk, lean on me.”

Learn more about the work of YWCA of Greater Baton Rouge and how to get involved in our September issue and at https://www.inregister.com/features/wwac-ywca

Our Zydeco & Creole Dance Class presented by Erica Melancon Fox brought the energy and moves! With live music by Dondrell Fleming and the Zydeco Band, it was a class full of rythm, connection, and community.

Don't miss out on future events like this! Our Women's Empowerment Center offers engaging, empowering programs every month. Stay tuned for what's next!

🌿 Healing Herbs was a hit!

Huge thanks to everyone who joined us for this hands-on workshop with Danielle Phillips. Participants learned how to make their own herbal remedies for stress, sleep, and immune support—plus left with homemade products and new self-care tools. ✨

It was a beautiful day of learning, connection, and empowerment at the YWCA Women’s Empowerment Center. 💚

CALLING ALL DADS! 👨‍👧‍👦
It’s your turn to shine in the hair styling chair! 💇‍♀️💫
Join us for Daddy and Me, a hands-on workshop where fathers (or father figures) and their kiddos (ages 7–13) learn the basics of hair care and styling—from detangling ponytails to braids and buns—with guidance from Junior Cosmetologist Dana Hayes!

📅 Sunday, June 22
🕑 2:00 – 4:00 PM
📍 YWCA Women’s Empowerment Center

No experience? No worries. We’ll provide the tools, products, and good vibes. Just bring your little star and get ready to laugh, learn, and create some unforgettable moments. 💛

🎟️ Sign up here: https://form.jotform.com/251495337735162

🧘‍♀️ This class filled up in just one day—we’re blown away by the excitement to join Krystal Norris-Landry for Yoga on the Terrace at the YWCA Women’s Empowerment Center on Sunday, June 22 from 12–1 PM! 🌞🧘‍♀️

✨If you registered after 5 PM on June 4, please note that space may not be available, but we may have openings if there are no-shows.

JOIN THE WAITLIST! Sign up here 👉 https://form.jotform.com/251496066355160

🎶💃 Slide, sway, and two-step into summer!
Join us for Zydeco Dancing with Erica Melancon Fox, featuring live music from Dee Flemming and the Zydeco Band! 🪗🔥

📅 Saturday, June 21
🕑 2:00 – 4:00 PM
📍 YWCA Women’s Empowerment Center

We’ll kick things off with a quick dance workshop—then the band brings the beat and we hit the floor! No partner? No problem. No experience? Even better. Just bring your energy and love for good music!

🎟️ Sign up now: https://form.jotform.com/251495352735159
Let’s dance, Louisiana style! 💛

HEY TEENS - bored yet? Add a fun and inspiring course to your summer plans! ☀️

YW Teens courses are FREE and open to all teen girls ages 12-19. From leadership development to financial education and more, there's something for everyone.

Learn more here: https://ywca-br.org/yw-teens/.

🎓 Last Friday, we celebrated a big milestone for some of our littlest graduates! 💛 Our Early Head Start Graduation was filled with smiles, laughter, and lots of proud parents. We’re so proud of our little graduates and can't wait to see how much they grow in their education. 🌟

👉 Want to learn more about our Early Head Start program and how your child can be part of it? Visit ywca-br.org/early-head-start to get started today!

Our Yoga on the Terrace with Krystal Norris-Landry was the perfect Sunday reset. From deep breaths to mindful stretches, participants found balance, relief, and a little extra peace under the open sky.

Big thanks to everyone who joined us for this beautiful outdoor flow!

More ways to move, connect, and recharge coming soon:
https://ywca-br.org/events

Our Mommy & Me: Cosmetology Workshop was such a special experience! Led by the talented Dana Hayes – JuniorCosmetology, moms and kids came together to learn, laugh, and connect through the art of hair care and self-love.

Missed this one? More empowering events are on the way:
ywca-br.org/events