In 1928, several women from the Pekin area gathered to discuss in what way they could better help their community. It was concluded their hometown would benefit greatly by being a home for the YWCA. Nearly 100 years later, the YWCA in Pekin offers a list of services that has expanded upon what those intrepid ladies originally set out to accomplish.

Executive Director Manda Brown believes in the mission of the Pekin YWCA because she, first and foremost, believes in the community of Pekin; the two are truly intertwined. “It is part of who I am to make sure this community has the proper support and a variety of activities to continue to enhance the quality of life of our residents.”

The support and activities the YWCA provides begins with their warm water therapy pool, which has been an integral part of the community since the current building was erected in 1959. Its first ‘regulars’ were the gym class students at Pekin High School and the YWCA even had its own swim team at one point. Now, the YWCA also allows Tazewell County Resource Centers clients to utilize the pool at a discounted rate.

Many others continue to benefit from the pool, as Manda explains: “The YWCA is proud of their Special Olympics Team ‘Sirens’ and celebrates the wonderful success we have experienced over the last few years with our clients bringing home gold from state competitions. But more so, we’re proud of them just growing in their swimming ability and enjoying the water.”

“Many community members will walk down memory lane with us as they recall their childhood swim lessons while they are enrolling their own children for swim lessons,” Manda continues, “or enjoy a few laughs from their birthday swim parties from years gone by.”

Most senior community members and others suffering from aches and pains share the wonders the warm, therapeutic waters have had on their bodies. “Many members assure us that if it were not for the YWCA pool,” Manda adds, “they would have been forced to give up their independent living long ago.”

The YWCA also offers swim lessons for all ages, adaptive aquatics to support water safety practices, aqua aerobics, and they rent out the pool to local healthcare facilities and for private parties.

Promoting healthy practices in the community does not stop at the water’s edge, however. The YWCA also offers a cardio room, something Manda refers to as “one of the best kept secrets in the workout scene in this town. Our cardio room provides a quiet, private environment, free of mirrors and TikTok stars,” she assures. “It is a great place to come in and make sure that you are taking care of your body and mind. Everyone is welcome, but we do strive to keep a calming environment that allows you to really focus on what your body needs to keep going strong and healthy!”

In addition, the YWCA Land Fitness department offers a walking club, SilverSneakers Classic, Boom Move, Boom Mind, Chair Yoga, Adaptive Yoga, Cardio Room, and more.

Schooling the body is only part of YWCA’s ongoing mission to better the community. Beginning at the beginning, as it were, the youngest of the community can join YWCA’s early learning center. They offer curricula for infants through preschool-aged children. 

“Our teachers have a significant amount of continuing education credits they must earn each year to make sure they are providing the best environment for each of our children,” Manda attests. “It is always a delight to see a grown ‘Y Kid’ – as they fondly call themselves – bringing their children to our Early Learning Center, because we are a trusted facility.”

Currently, to ensure children are kindergarten ready, the YWCA Early Learning Center offers space for 87 children, ages 6 weeks to 5 years of age.

When a child moves on to kindergarten the YWCA continues to care about their education. “Each year the YWCA Coalition for Equality partners with the Pekin Housing Authority to provide 100 backpacks to the students living in that area,” Manda says. “This ensures that they are able to go to school with a new backpack and the supplies needed to be prepared to learn. This is good for the child’s social/emotional health. We also provide Snack Packs for all of South Pekin grade school as well as District 108 PFEC.

The YWCA is always accepting and grateful for help from the community as well. From the present through September, they are accepting donated school supplies. These donations as well as others can “ensure that each weekend we can send home easy to prepare, nutritious snacks for kiddos who may not have access to such things while not at school,” Manda says.

Learning should never cease, regardless of age, which is why the YWCA Coalition for Equality program offers no cost programs throughout the year. “The Coalition for Equality also hosts our FutureYou courses that cover a wide variety of topics to help you take the next best step for your future self,” Manda explains. “Whether you are learning how to shop for insurance, how to prepare a will or trust, or how to open a bank account, (these are just a few of the classes we are covering) we have a class for you.”

Despite the importance of continued learning, some adults may feel their lack of certain knowledge, skills, or experience is something of which to be embarrassed. The YWCA does not want any adult to feel this way. Skills like literacy are taught in a way “to boost their confidence, expand their ability to communicate effectively, and strengthen their sense of empowerment,” Manda says. “As people become more literate, they are better equipped to advocate for themselves, make informed decisions, and engage actively in their communities, enhancing both their well-being and economic stability.”

Literacy opens the door to further learning for both learner and teacher. The adult learning program gives community members a chance to contribute by volunteering their time and talents as tutors in language arts, mathematics, studying, test-taking, and life and work skills.

“Our volunteers give their time, patience, and compassion, for which learners are always grateful,” Manda shares. “It’s inspiring to watch tutor-learner pairs connect, make progress, and achieve goals they may not have reached without a program like ours. We invite our high school graduates to return to our program as volunteer tutors. We invite anyone interested in volunteering to contact us. Our training is free, no experience is needed, and it is a very rewarding experience!”

Working together is the key to everything accomplished at the YWCA. By interacting with the local Districts 108 and 303 schools, the YWCA is able to reach parents and provide necessary resources. Connections have also been made with the Tazewell County Health Department, Pekin Housing Authority, Salvation Army, Pekin Outreach Initiative, and the Pekin Alliance for Literacy Success (PALS, www.pekinliteracy.org).

Of course, funding is necessary to run the many YWCA programs. They would like to extend heartfelt thanks to the following: the Illinois Secretary of State/Illinois State Library for supporting the Adult Basic Education and English Language Acquisition programs; the AARP/Senior Planet Digital Skills Ready @ 50+, which funds simplified digital skills classes for citizens aged 50 and older; and the Miller Center at the Pekin Park District for providing space to offer classes. They receive additional support from the United Way of Pekin, Kiwanis Club of Pekin, Pekin Rotary Club, and Tazewell County Health Department grants.

The YWCA is also a grantee of the Adult Literacy Grant through the Dollar General Literacy Foundation, which supports Illinois High School Diploma acquisition, basic education, and English language education. “Learners can enroll in the program anytime throughout the year,” shares Manda. “Because of our grants, we can provide services completely free of charge and supply all learning materials and supplies needed by our learners.”

Above all, the YWCA would like to thank the people of the town they call home. “Were it not for our community believing in us, we could have easily been shuttered like so many YWCAs in other communities around us have been,” Manda says. “I am reminded each day how much our community takes pride in us.”

In the last year alone, YWCA members, their families, and the community have raised more than $40,000 to help resurface two of their three 50-year-old parking lots. Further donations to complete this project or to help fund any other program can be made at www.ywcapekin.org.

Almost a century has passed since those Pekin women took it upon themselves to better their community. “And this community,” Manda concludes, “men, women, businesses, and organizations, have supported and celebrated this community center ever since that day. We are so fortunate to be so valued by so many.”