What they reported doing
- #1 primary $1.46MYOUNG WOMEN'S COLLEGE ACCESS AND LEADERSHIP THE YWCA BROOKLYN'S COMPREHENSIVE COLLEGE ACCESS AND LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM SERVES STUDENTS FROM POVERTY IMPACTED COMMUNITIES ATTENDING UNDER-RESOURCED HIGH SCHOOLS THROUGHOUT THE BOROUGH, WHO ARE THE FIRST GENERATION IN THEIR FAMILIES TO ATTEND COLLEGE. PROGRAMMING INCLUDES ACADEMIC TUTORING, ASSISTANCE WITH COLLEGE APPLICATIONS AND FINANCIAL AID, PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND FINANCIAL LITERACY. COLLEGE PERSISTENCE SERVICES SUPPORT STUDENTS THROUGH GRADUATION. THE LEADERSHIP AND COMMUNITY SERVICE COMPONENTS EQUIP GIRLS WITH THE TOOLS THEY NEED TO LEAD SELF-DETERMINED LIVES AND TO BECOME THE NEXT GENERATION OF CHANGE AGENTS IN THEIR COMMUNITIES.IMMIGRANT WOMEN'S SERVICES OFFERS FIRST-GENERATION IMMIGRANTS ENGLISH CLASSES, WORKFORCE/EMPLOYABILITY PREPAREDNESS, FINANCIAL LITERACY AND HEALTH AND WELLNESS EDUCATION.
What they call their work
What they do
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Local High School Scholarship Programs 1 activity
- Administering scholarship and grant programs for college-bound studentsFunds college access by awarding multi-year scholarships and one-time grants to graduating seniors, including $30,000 distributed to six students through the Making the Impossible Possible Scholarship and a partnership with New York Community Trust.
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Reproductive Health Advocacy & Education 1 activity
- Advancing reproductive health and gender-based violence preventionAdvocates for policies to prevent adolescent pregnancies, reduce teen dating violence, improve reproductive health, and expand access to healthcare. Raises awareness about intimate partner violence, sexual assault, harassment, and sex trafficking.
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Domestic and Sexual Violence Prevention Education 1 activity
- Conducting Denim Day campaigns to combat sexual violenceParticipates annually in #DenimDay with events including the Defend Your Denim youth empowerment program, marches from Brooklyn Borough Hall across the Brooklyn Bridge, and public rallies to protest sexual violence and challenge victim-blaming.
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College Access and Success Support 1 activity
- Delivering youth development and college access programs for girls of colorOffers a comprehensive program starting in 10th grade that includes homework help, test preparation, college application guidance, paid internships, mentorship, and college persistence support. Achieved 100% college acceptance with financial aid or full scholarships and improved SAT scores by an average of 100 points.
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Community Festival & Event Production 1 activity
- Hosting community events and civic engagement initiativesOrganizes borough-wide cultural programming, performances, community-supported gardens, and civic engagement activities to advance inclusion, social justice, and sustainable change in Brooklyn.
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Educator Training in Equity and Inclusion 1 activity
- Leading advocacy initiatives for racial and gender justiceEmpowers program participants to advocate for policy changes in school discipline reform, juvenile justice, educational equity, voting rights, LGBTQ rights, minimum wage increases, public benefits reform, and against racial profiling and discriminatory practices.
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Creative Arts Therapy Programs 1 activity
- Offering trauma-informed wellness and enrichment programsProvides art therapy, music programs, computer skills training, and other expressive and educational activities to support trauma healing, emotional wellbeing, and skill development for residents and community participants.
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Supportive and Emergency Housing Services 1 activity
- Operating permanent affordable housing for low-income and formerly homeless womenProvides 302 permanent, safe, and affordable housing units in downtown Brooklyn for low-income women, including survivors of gender-based violence and those previously homeless. Offers supportive programs focused on emotional wellbeing, health, and independent living.
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Women's Empowerment and Leadership Development 1 activity
- Providing supportive services and programming for immigrant womenOffers English classes, citizenship preparation, workforce readiness, financial literacy, health and wellness education, and free legal clinics for first-generation immigrant women to promote economic security and integration.
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Community Space Provision 1 activity
- Supporting grassroots organizations and community capacity buildingHosts over 100 community groups and hundreds of events annually in shared community space, supporting grassroots nonprofits in expanding services to vulnerable populations in Brooklyn.
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Who runs it
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| MARTHA KAMBER | CEO & PRESIDENT | 36 | $244K |
| ALEXANDRA GOMES | DIRECTOR OF FUND DEVELOPMENT | 40 | $156K |
| JOHNNY NUNEZ | VP OF HOUSING COMPLIANCE | 27 | $151K |
| NITZA PLAUD | SENIOR DIRECTOR OF ADMINISTRATION AND OPERATIONS | 36 | $147K |
| STEPHEN JORGENSEN | CFO | 3 | $30K |
- ALLISON VAN HEE — BOARD MEMBER
- ALLY HOFMAN-BANG — BOARD MEMBER
- BETTY BOYLE DUKE — CHAIR
- CHRISTINA LK TRAVERS — TREASURER
- JENNIFER E MANLEY — BOARD MEMBER
- JENNIFER SMITH — BOARD MEMBER
- KAITLIN OLIVIERI — SECRETARY
- KAMIAN MICHELLE ALLEN — BOARD MEMBER
- SHANA HUNTER LEE — BOARD MEMBER
- SHIMONAH ISRAEL — BOARD MEMBER (OUTGOING)
- YVETTE BUCKNER — VICE CHAIR
Who they work with
- ACES fraternity Partner — NYPD-affiliated civilian group that presented gift baskets to graduating students.
- Amplify Her Partner — Co-hosts speed networking events with YWCA Brooklyn to support women's professional development.
- Amplify Her Leadership Network Partner — Collaborates with YWCA Brooklyn to host speed networking events for young women in the YW LEAD Program.
- Atlantic Avenue Business Improvement District Partner — Martha Kamber serves on the Board, suggesting collaboration with local economic development initiatives.
- Center for Anti Violence Education Partner — Partner organization co-hosting the Defend Your Denim event with YWCA Brooklyn.
- Colgate University Partner — One of the colleges attended by YW Brooklyn LEAD graduates, indicating institutional connection through student enrollment and scholarship support.
- EOS Partner — Donated feminine hygiene products for the entire graduating class.
- Grassroots Nonprofits Partner — Provides space and support to grassroots nonprofit organizations to expand their services to vulnerable populations in Brooklyn.
- National Association of YWCA Executives Network — Martha Kamber serves on the Board of Directors, indicating organizational affiliation and leadership engagement.
- New York City Council Adult Literacy Initiative Government — Government partner supporting YWCA Brooklyn programs
- New York City Council DoVE (Domestic Violence and Empowerment) Initiative Government — Government partner supporting YWCA Brooklyn programs
- New York City Council Young Women’s Leadership Development Initiative Government — Government partner supporting YWCA Brooklyn programs
- New York City Department for the Aging Government — Government partner supporting YWCA Brooklyn programs
- New York City Department of Housing Preservation & Development Government — Government partner supporting YWCA Brooklyn programs
- New York City Department of Youth & Community Development Government — Government partner supporting YWCA Brooklyn programs
- New York City Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice Government — Government partner supporting YWCA Brooklyn programs
- New York Community Trust Partner — Partnered to fund $5,000 annual scholarships for six students over four years.
- New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance’s Empire State Supportive Housing Initiative Government — Government partner supporting YWCA Brooklyn programs
- Nyu Partner — One of the colleges attended by YW Brooklyn LEAD graduates, indicating institutional connection through student enrollment and scholarship support.
- Road to 120 Funder — Provided support enabling the awarding of $30,000 in total grants to six graduating seniors.
- Rocketbook Partner — Donated 30 reusable note pads for distribution to the graduating class.
- Sony Music Partner — Donated 30 Sony headphones for distribution to the graduating class.
- The Road to 120: Education Equity for Young Women Partner — Martha Kamber serves on the Board, indicating partnership in advancing educational equity for young women.
- YWCA USA Network — Independent affiliate of YWCA USA but receives no financial support from the national organization.
- YWCA World Service Council Network — Martha Kamber serves on the Board, reflecting connection to the global YWCA network.
- nonprofit and civic organizations Partner — Collaborates with mission-aligned nonprofit and civic organizations to host dialogue, advocacy, and community-building activities.
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Community Mobilization for Racial and Gender Equity via Collective Advocacymethodology: community_mobilization_for_equityBy organizing women and girls as leaders in youth-led and intergenerational advocacy, using art, training, and public education to challenge systems like victim-blaming, the YWCA drives social change because empowered communities produce sustainable shifts in norms and policy.
- Comprehensive Youth Development through Integrated College Access and Leadershipmethodology: comprehensive_youth_developmentBy integrating academic support, STEM engagement, financial literacy, leadership training, and wellness into a sustained cohort-based model starting in 10th grade, the YWCA advances college completion and equity for girls of color from under-resourced communities because long-term, holistic development addresses systemic barriers to success.
- Housing-First for Women with Trauma-Informed Supportmethodology: housing_first_for_womenBy providing permanent affordable housing specifically for women affected by gender-based violence, homelessness, and poverty, combined with trauma-informed supportive services, the YWCA of Brooklyn enables stability, recovery, and empowerment because safe housing is a foundational prerequisite for engagement in healing and advancement.
- Mentorship Through Professional and Intergenerational Networksmethodology: intergenerational_mentorshipBy connecting young women with established professionals and elder leaders through structured mentorship and ceremonial transitions, the YWCA expands opportunity and sustains leadership development because relational access builds confidence, career insight, and community accountability.