Address:
905 Pacific Avenue
P.O. Box 559
Bremerton, WA 98337
Contact:
Phone: (360) 479-0522
Fax: (360) 479-0484
Email: info@ywcakitsap.org
YWCA 24-Hour Crisis Line:
(800) 500-5513
TTY Number:
(For hearing or speech impaired)
(360) 377-6406
Hours of Operation:
Monday through Thursday
8:00am 5:00pm
Friday
8:00am 12:00pm
The YWCA Community Center invites community members to make use of its spacious multipurpose room
and/or business meeting room available to reserve and rent for a minimal fee.
Executive Director
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Linda K. Joyce has served as the Executive Director of the YWCA of Kitsap County since June, 1994. Raised in Gary, Indiana (yes, she is a Hoosier!!) by parents who believed that community service was an obligation and human rights were God-given, Linda received a degree in Sociology from St. Joseph's Calumet College which led to service at the Indiana Department of Welfare. There she worked as a Social Worker in the areas of family services, child protection, and senior services. Arriving in Kitsap County from Long Beach, CA, her life's work in human services also included service with Catholic Charities of Los Angeles. As a Social Worker for the OASIS Program, she provided support for seniors, before being selected as the Director of the Catholic Charities Family Shelter for Homeless. Linda's work with domestic violence survivors began at the YWCA Women Shelter in Long Beach. This experience, she is absolutely convinced, defined her mission in life. Under Linda's leadership, the YWCA of Kitsap County has celebrated major successes: a 3-phase renovation of the YWCA ALIVE Shelter and the relocation of the YWCA from a rented space into its own building, the YWCA Community Center, allowing increased visibility and accessibility. Also, several programs were implemented, increasing the YWCA's ability to provide a "safety net" for the over 6,000 community members who access services, annually. In addition, YWCA events: the Women of Achievement recognition Luncheon, Week without Violence, and ArtsALIVE attract supporters from throughout the county. "Since it's incorporation in 1948, the YWCA as a community institution that has been historically innovative and bold and in its creation and development of “life-changing and affirming” programs for women and their families – and in it’s work of breaking down barriers. I have been blessed as a member of the YWCA family with committed Boards of Directors, dedicated Staff, and passionate community supporters….who are mission-driven" Among several acknowledgments, Leadership Kitsap, a Women Helping Women Award by the Soroptomist International of Port Orchard, Keeper of the Dream Award have recognized Linda with a Distinguished Leadership Award in observance of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and as a YWCA Woman of Achievement. One of seven siblings, she is the proud mother of a son who is a Deputy Sheriff and has three very handsome and smart grandsons!! |
About the YWCA Executive Director: