The YWCA of Silicon Valley supports social and racial justice and has worked towards diversity and inclusion since its founding.  We aim to bring together people of all racial, cultural, economic, educational, social and religious backgrounds to work towards a common goal of peace, justice, freedom, dignity, and respect for differences.

The SARJ program offers workshops for pre-Kindergarten through 12th grade students to address gender inequity and cultural or racial biases. The curriculums are based on a progressive, interactive approach that meets state standards. We help inform students about different cultures while encouraging open discussion and critical thinking. High school students receive a violence-prevention curriculum that empowers them with education and new behavioral skills. It encourages them to change harmful attitudes and stereotypes. The program helps youth:

• Deal with their aggression in a constructive way
• Examine the presentation of gender in the media and society
• Cultivate healthy relationships

We integrate this philosophy – and make it a priority to provide diversity trainings -  through out each and every one of our programs. 

This year the SARJ mission will be directed to the internal culture of the YWCA of Silicon Valley. For eight months, beginning in November, we will cover eight contienents. Each department and service we offer will use the cultures and diversity of these places to teach and create a world view of Social and Racial Justice. Please come back to this page monthly to see what we are doing and how you can do the same in your work environments.

January: Asia

Child Care Centers:
We have a memory game with children around the world that we’ll play as we discuss the countries they are from and where it’s located on the map in Asia.
We will be discussing the Tet festival and how people use the Lunar calendar instead of the Gregorian calendar. We’ll go a little into the different animals that represent a calendar year and the kinds of traits they say are linked to people born in that year.
We’ll take a look at the different ethnic dress of Asian countries. Also, when we have International Week for our theme, we’re going to have an international party and encourage children to come dressed in their cultural clothes. We’ll play a game and guess where you might see someone in that mode of dress.
We’ll be discussing the climate, animals, and other points of interest as we explore Asia through books.

West Valley Location:
Using asian crafts and books they are learningt how to say hell-o in 11 different ways used in Asia. as well as location, weather, size countries, languages and foods.
Some of the kids had visited Asia over Christmas and they discussed what it was like and some are bringing in items they have from there. The kids are enjoying trying to remember all the different ways to say hell-o each day in their groups.

Frost Elementary School:
Will be making and eating food from China, India and the Middle East. Learning about the Lunar Calander and TET.

Family Services and Counseling:

Rape Crisis Center:

Check back each month!
December...Holidays in country of choice.
January.......Asia
February....Africa
March........Europe
April..........Antarctica
May...........South America
June...........Australia

Please email us at: SARJ@ywca-sv.org. Thank you for your input!