With a long-standing commitment to women, children, minorities, and social-justice issues and a presence in New Britain for more than a century, the YWCA is more than just a workout facility. Its history is peppered with groundbreaking programs to bolster race relations, achieve women's empowerment through business ventures, and promote children's health by providing access to physical activity. Staff members further the organization's vision with dedication to initiatives to help unemployed community members locate jobs in the area, literacy programs for kids and adults learning English, and an afterschool girls' development program for middle schoolers.