Who We Are
YWCA Allentown is dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women, and promoting peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all.
A partnership with the Allentown YMCA in the 1950s shifted the YWCA’s focus to health and wellness, social connectivity, and support for working mothers. This partnership continued until 2017, when an amicable separation allowed YWCA Allentown to relaunch as an independent YWCA association committed to social change.
We work to bring out the individual strengths of women and youth and to foster resiliency and self-sufficiency. Our philosophy, in keeping with the mission of the YWCA to empower women and families, centers on providing the skills and confidence needed to succeed.
YWCA Allentown is dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women, and promoting peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all. We are proud to be a part of the oldest and largest women’s movement, providing services for women and their families in our community.
YWCA Allentown has worked tirelessly to advocate for the needs of women, girls, and families in our Allentown community since our founding in 1898. In the early 20th century, YWCA members advocated for women's suffrage, staffed hospitality houses for USAAC at Camp Crane during WWI, operated lunch counters during the great depression, and provided housing and job training for women during WWII.
Eliminating Racism, Empowering Women and Promoting Peace, Justice, Freedom and Dignity for all.
YWCA MISSION
Our Values
Being agents of transformation who ask how we can work intentionally to advance equity, justice, and anti-racism.
Cultivating mutual trust and increasing resonance by listening to new ideas, perspectives, and approaches.
Challenging the status quo while maintaining a healthy respect for dialogue and partnership.
Empowering, developing, and supporting each other to maximize potential and results.
Leading with integrity, transparency, and respect while fostering a diverse and inclusive culture for all.
Our Team
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Sarah E. Barrett
Executive Director
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Sylvia Boateng
Case Manager
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Carolina Joya
Receptionist
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Heidi Lennick
Perfect Fit Resale Boutique Manager
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Carol Powers
Program Associate
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Carley Pysher
Program Manager, Perfect Fit
Board of Directors
Our Board of Directors is a diverse group of women leaders using their passion, insights, and connections in the community, to create real impact for YWCA Allentown.
2024 – 2025 Officers
Lynn Olanoff, President
Cheryl Johnson Watts, Director-at-Large
Stephanie Sherry, Vice President
Rebecca Laumann, Treasurer
Valerie Pleiss, Vice Treasurer
Abigail Martin, Secretary
Directors
Madlen Miller
Sandra Figueroa-Skvasik
Lynn Anne Yori
Edith Gutierrez-Hawbaker
Dr. Andrea Grannum-Mosley
Rebecca Laumann
Danielle Adams-Wiltshire
Maria Chaya
Leila Lins
Angelique Hunt
Key Dates in YWCA History
Annual Reports
YWCA is on a mission to eliminate racism and empower women, and we’re committed to accountability and transparency in everything we do. Below you will find resources that illuminate our financial position, outline how we allocate our resources, and showcase the impact of the valuable support from our donors and sponsors. As a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization, we welcome your support of our mission!
2020
FAQs
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Yes! We always need new or gently used, modern-style women's professional and business casual clothing, shoes, and accessories. Donations are accepted at the Perfect Fit Monday-Friday, by appointment only, to allow us to focus on serving our clients with the care and attention they deserve. Please call us at (610) 871-5060 to schedule an appointment to drop off your donation.
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YWCA Allentown partners with more than 50 referral organizations across the Lehigh Valley, which connect job-seekers and those newly employed with our clothing and job-readiness resources. Careerlink, social service organizations, county assistance offices, houses of worship, recovery programs, and local colleges and universities are among our partners and can refer you. Not connected with a referral partner? Use our self-referral form to request an appointment.
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We are located on the lower level of the Sovereign Building at 609 West Hamilton Street in downtown Allentown, in the heart of the community we serve. Our entrance is behind the building, facing the Allentown ArtsWalk. On-street parking is available on Hamilton Street, 6th Street, or 7th Street, and garage parking is available at the PPL Center, ArtsWalk Deck, or ATA Deck for $1/hour (non-event days/nights).