New Director Of YWCA Greater Austin Breathes New Life Into Century-Old Institution

AUSTIN, TX -- It’s often difficult to breathe new life into an established organization, particularly one that’s over 100 years old. There’s a certain way of doings -- a familiarity to the routine, a set culture, particular protocols -- and such dynamics can be viewed as sacrosanct, not needing to be disturbed with new ideas or infused with new suggestions.

That’s not how the YWCA’s new executive director sees it. Not by a long shot.

Angela-Jo Touza-Medina was named the new leader of the organization six months ago. Since taking the helm, she’s introduced new offerings to the iconic group that expand on its mission of female empowerment and ending racism -- an already heady charge.

New discussion groups tackle issues of love and sexuality, gender mainstreaming and xenophobia -- issues sometimes seen as taboo that people are often averse to broach, whispered about rather than openly discussing them in a group setting.

Not at the YWCA, where participants are encouraged to embark on robust discussions. Clearly, this is not your grandmother's YWCA.

“The way I conceptualize the work we do is that every program that we offer plays into our mission statement,” Touza-Medina said. “The training institute plays into the mission statement because we’re trying to address and build capacity around some of the root causes of social inequities.”

Toward mid-year, the group will expand on that goal: “Toward the latter half of 2016, we’re going to be starting two certificate programs,” Touza-Medina said. “One in racial justice and equity and one in mainstreaming gender.”

In between, community members gather to openly discuss subjects once seen as off-limits or at the very least not to be discussed in polite society.

“We want to be a space where we can have uncomfortable conversations in a safe environment,” Touza-Medina said, crediting clinical director Laura Gomez-Horton with starting dialogues in racism and discrimination that pre-dated her arrival as director.

“It runs that whole gamut of topics that come up around racial issues and discrimination and gender,” she said.

The dialogues have been well-received, and other organizations in the community have expressed a desire to replicate them in their own corporate cultures through partnerships, Touza-Medina said.

Societal dynamics have helped spur the dialogues along, she noted. A growing political polarization and marginalization of some population segments yield the discussion groups as an opportunity to not only vent but engender helpful dialogue centered on such issues of the day.

“There’s various pieces to consider,” Touza-Medina says. “One is that we’re in a very adverse political climate; and then the other piece is that they’re hard issues to address.”

Talking about some issues requires a measure of introspection, and the YWCA wants to be the place for that self-analysis.

“Everything requires a level of self-reflection that can kind of shake up the core of who you really think you are,” she said. “In that sense, part of the work we do is to help the community think about themselves, and reflect upon themselves.”

The YWCA's offerings reach far beyond community dialogue to include a range of services: childcare subsidies, individual, family and couples mental health counseling and psychoeducational/group therapy sessions on a sliding fee scale to the community at large and training sessions for adolescents to help them bolster their emotional, intellectual, behavioral and physical health.

Located in a non-descript building at 2015 S IH 35 Frontage Rd., the YWCA offices are easy to miss. There’s no signage outside that denotes its presence, for example.Touza-Medina aims to change all that.

“We’re a well-kept secret,” she said. “We don’t want to be a secret anymore.”

Begun as the Young Women’s Christian Association of the University of Texas, the group traces its roots to 1893. It’s undergone a series of name changes since, along with continual updates in strengthening its mission: It was later known as the University Y and now as the YWCA Greater Austin.

Despite its metamorphosis over the years, its basic offerings are ironclad in providing a range of services to the community: mental health counseling for children, women and families, prevention/intervention for at-risk youth, drug awareness education for both girls and boys. Moreover, its Continuing Education Series offers continuing education for licensed professional counselors, social workers and marriage/family therapists.

The YWCA is one of 600-odd nonprofits participating in Amplify Austin. To donate, click here.

>>> Angela-Jo Touza-Medina (in red scarf) surrounded by her staff members