YWCA Kalamazoo (YWCA) meets the needs of the Kalamazoo community by implementing our timeless mission of eliminating racism and empowering women. The association remains relevant by not seeking to duplicate services, but by addressing the service gaps that affect the community’s most vulnerable populations: children and women of color. To address these gaps, YWCA takes a holistic approach to programs and services by coordinating care and implementing evidence-based practices from across multiple sectors including early education, legal, public health, and violence prevention.

In 2020, YWCA served thousands of women, men and children through direct service, community education, and outreach efforts despite the challenges presented by the global pandemic. YWCA serves a large and diverse population of clients and stakeholders through our four strategic focus areas: (1) advocacy and system change, (2) caring for victims of abuse (e.g. domestic violence, human trafficking, sexual assault), (3) improving the lives of children, and (4) promoting maternal and child health.

On Saturday, September 18, our organization will participate in a Charity Bikeathon organized by Bike Friendly Kalamazoo! We are thrilled to be one of more than a dozen non-profits taking part in this inaugural community event.

We hope you can join in the fun -- by riding for our team -- by helping us find donors -- or by donating yourself.  Please support our cause and make this a successful event.  It would be great if you could join us in the wonderful timber-framed Vicksburg Community Pavilion, right next to the grounds of the lovingly maintained and curated Vicksburg Historic Village.

We are Riding For A Reason -- and hope you support my Team in this wonderful multi-charity event. 

Our charity is taking advantage of Bike Friendly Kalamazoo's experience as a fellow non-profit to make our participation in this fun fundraiser a success and to help us raise funds during challenging times.

Statement from Bike Friendly Kalamazoo, Event Organizer
Putting this event together is Bike Friendly Kalamazoo's way of giving back to the community.  PledgeReg is providing our Participating Charities with third party convenience and transparency via their event platform.  Transactions using PledgeReg will be acknowledged by the overall Event Organizer, Bike Friendly Kalamazoo, using auto-generated messages and displays.  PledgeReg automatically includes BFK's name and tax ID on certain emails and communications.  Please be assured that support of YOUR designated charities is being tracked and publicly displayed. 

BFK is itself a 501(c)3 Michigan non-profit charitable organization whose mission is to help make our greater community even more bicycle friendly.  To learn more, please visit BFK online.