LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLF) - The YWCA of Greater Lafayette will be able to create job skills training classes thanks to new grant money.
Google.org pledged 5-million dollars to YWCA's across the country. The money will help the local YWCA broaden its "Empowerment Suits You" program. Google.org, Google's philanthropy, supports nonprofits that address humanitarian issues and apply scalable, data-driven innovation to solving the world's biggest challenges.
The YWCA of Greater Lafayette is one of 12 YWCA's across the nation to get this grant. With its portion of the grant money, our local YWCA will be able to improve job training programs and increase access to digital skills for women, people of color and underserved Americans.
In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, having technology skills has become even more important.
"It's a necessary component of workforce training and a necessary need of skills for anyone in various elements of work service," said Allison Beggs, CEO of the YWCA of Greater Lafayette.
Beggs said this is a grant that will last over the next three years. She said they hope to have phase one ready to go in October. She believes having these skills will have a bigger impact in impact local women's lives.
"It provides that opportunity for advancement and empowerment to help them live better lives for them and their children, to break the cycles of generational poverty," she said.