YWCA Elgin

Strong communities are built when people look out for one another. During , we affirm our commitment to creating spaces where every person is welcomed, valued, and safe, including our LGBTQ+ neighbors. Respect and belonging make us stronger together.

Supporting immigrants every step of the way. Apoyando a los inmigrantes en cada paso del camino.

YWCA Elgin offers comprehensive immigration services for individuals and families, including help with asylum applications, green cards, naturalization, DACA renewals, and citizenship classes.

La YWCA Elgin brinda servicios integrales de inmigración para apoyar a usted y a su familia, incluyendo solicitudes de asilo, tarjeta verde, naturalización, renovaciones de DACA y clases de ciudadanía.

Bilingual assistance is available. Contact our paralegal, Ana Rojas Ortega, at (331) 442-6358. Asistencia bilingüe disponible. Comuníquese con nuestra paralegal, Ana Rojas Ortega, al (331) 442-6358.

You don’t have to navigate this journey alone. We’re here to help. No tiene que recorrer este camino solo. Estamos aquí para apoyarle.

Ms. Korisa, Take 2 Creative Camp Coordinator, is hard at work prepping for our 10th summer! Be sure you follow us on social media so you don’t miss the projects our Take 2 Teens create.

Thank you to Seigle Foundation and Elgin Township for supporting our Take 2 Creative Camp. We couldn’t have done it without you.!

📚 Applications Are Now Open!

YWCA Elgin is proud to offer the 2026 Dorothy Silverstein Scholarship.

Two deserving adults age 21+ who reside in Elgin will each receive a $2,000 scholarship to pursue higher education, including:
✔️ College degree programs
✔️ Trade schools
✔️ Certification programs

If you've been thinking about taking the next step in your education, this may be your opportunity.

🗓️ Application Deadline: June 30, 2026, by 11:59 p.m.

Apply today:
🔗 www.ywcaelgin.org/dorothysilversteinscholarship

Elgin Community College Elgin Area Chamber of Commerce Judson University Northern Illinois University Elgin Development Group Gail Borden Public Library Elgin Township Community Crisis Center Downtown Neighborhood Association of Elgin IL School District U-46

Make a Difference. Transform Lives. Become an ESL Instructor at YWCA Elgin!

Are you passionate about education, cultural exchange, and helping others achieve their goals? YWCA Elgin is looking for dedicated individuals to join our Adult Education team as ESL Language Instructors. Training and curriculum are provided, making this a rewarding opportunity to share your skills while empowering adult learners from around the world.

**Fluency in languages other than English is not required.** In fact, our instructors teach entirely in English.

Ashley Strietzel, YWCA Elgin's Adult Education Instructional Coordinator, shares:

💬 “As someone who started out as only an instructor, it's a supportive work environment and it was the perfect part-time job as a mom. It's a chance to do something that transforms lives and the students are so grateful for the help you give them. You get to interact with people from all over the world. It's a place I've been able to learn and grow as an instructor and I've felt empowered by being part of such meaningful work.”

And one recently retired instructor described her experience at YWCA Elgin as:

💬 “The best job she'd ever had.”

If you have a bachelor's degree, creativity, and a passion for helping others, consider joining our team.

📧 To apply, send your resume and cover letter to [email protected]

Together, we can build connections, create opportunities, and change lives through education.

✨ 125 Years of Strength, Justice & Empowering Generations ✨

Join YWCA Elgin as we celebrate 125 years of impact, advocacy and community on August 21 at Carmina’s Banquet in Elgin.

Enjoy an unforgettable evening featuring:
Authentic Cuisine l Scholarship & Legacy Awards l Wine Bottle Pull l Playing Card Raffle l Gift Wheel l Live Auction Baskets l Exclusive Travel Packages

📅 Friday, August 21
🕕 6:00 PM
📍 Carmina’s Banquet | Elgin

Early Bird Tickets: $100 through June 30
Starting July 1: $125

Reserve your tickets and sponsorships today: www.ywcaelgin.org/125celebration

Celebrate the legacy. Support the mission. Be part of the next generation of impact.

At YWCA Elgin, our commitment to peace, justice, freedom, and dignity includes equity and equality for our LGBTQ+ community.

During , we honor LGBTQ+ lives, leadership, and voices. Thank you for your immense contributions to the fabric of our nation.

10 Summers of Take 2 Creative Camp!

Can you believe we are celebrating our 10th summer? To mark this milestone, we’re looking back at our very first project from 2017, "A Bully Memoir." Watching these young creators share their raw, powerful stories of resilience and self-worth reminds us exactly why we started this journey a decade ago.

🎥 Take a trip down memory lane and watch our first-ever project here: https://youtu.be/4M3ZcAw5psE

We are deeply grateful to the Seigle Foundation and Elgin Township for their unwavering support. Their partnership has been instrumental in helping us empower local youth to find their voices and let their "inner sunshine" shine for the last ten summers.

A Bully Memoir: An Anti-Bullying Video Students from our Take 2 Creative Camp: A Digital Literacy Program participated and created this video to encourage middle schoolers to put an end to bullyin...

Our alley got a colorful makeover today thanks to our amazing School Age ChildCare kiddos! 🌈✨

From bunnies and butterflies to rainbows and sweet messages, our young artists turned the back alley into their very own outdoor art gallery. 🎨💛

Nothing better than a sunny day, a bucket of chalk and BIG imaginations! We love seeing our kids express themselves, get creative and brighten up our community one drawing at a time.

Be sure to check out their masterpieces next time you stop by! ☀️