YWCA is on a mission and YWCA Mankato is making it our own!
YWCA Mankato is eliminating racism and empowering women through programming initiatives for girls and gender-expansive youth, eliminating barriers for new American families, and supporting and empowering women leaders.
We actively support women and girls in realizing their dreams, fostering the creation of the lives and communities they envision. We engage in meaningful conversations and drive initiatives that bring about a more inclusive and equitable community, where every voice is heard and valued.
Our commitment extends beyond words to actions, as we work tirelessly to build a world where diversity thrives and all individuals can flourish. Join us in this journey towards a brighter, more inclusive future.
Connect Women ↘
As half of the population, women and girls can lead the way toward the creation of a more inclusive, welcoming community. Our programs connect women across cultures, abilities, and socio-economic status.
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Elizabeth Kearney Women's Leadership Program
A gender-specific leadership program that takes a cohort of women through 9-months of leadership development.
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Adult Banned Book Club
Some stories are so powerful, they scare people into banning them. That’s exactly why we’re reading them.
Join YWCA Mankato’s Adult Banned Book Club, together, we’ll reclaim stories of resistance, identity, and liberation, and connect them to our own fight for equity.
This isn’t just a book club; it’s an act of empowerment.
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Core Collective
Core Collective is community care made real. When winter settles in and the days feel heavier… shorter, colder, and often filled with uncertainty… there is something deeply powerful about coming together.
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Adult Craft Night
Our Adult Craft Nights are more than a chance to make something with your hands. They are an invitation to slow down, breathe, and gather in community. Around tables filled with creativity, conversation flows naturally, about life, about stress, about the realities we’re all navigating, and about the hope we find in one another.
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Lunch & Learns are on the schedule!
The Financial Empowerment Series was created in direct response to what we heard from women in our community, particularly during last fall’s Women’s Leadership & Empowerment Conference. Again and again, women told us they wanted practical tools, honest conversation, and supportive spaces to better understand their finances and make confident decisions for themselves and their families.
This series is YWCA Mankato’s intentional response.
Events↘
We host engaging events centered around our mission each year. We hope to see you soon!
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Women of Distinction
YWCA Mankato has been honoring women, organizations, and businesses for their leadership, community impact, and dedication to the YWCA Mankato’s mission for over 50 years at the annual Women of Distinction event.
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Mother's Day 5K
The Mother’s Day 5K was built on the belief that when we show up for each other, we all go further.
On May 9, 2026, we’re bringing this tradition back to honor moms and uplift our community.
Grab your running shoes, your people, and your joy…
See you at the start line!
Build Confidence in Girls ↘
We believe in building confidence in girls and gender-expansive youth. Confidence is key to learning, dreaming, and achieving. All of our programs for youth strive for girls to see themselves as strong, smart, and bold!
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Handball 2 University
A program for 6th-12th grade girls that focuses on college prep and team sports.
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No-School Days Programming
School’s out. We’re going to the museum.
Artful Adventures = a day at the Minneapolis Institute of Art with YWCA Mankato!Girls & gender-expansive youth | Grades 3–12
Nov. 14 | $25
Register now … don’t miss it! -
Trades Trailblazers
Inspiring girls to envision a future in the trades while fostering inclusive workplaces for women.
New American Families ↘
The New American Families program works with immigrant and refugee families in the greater Mankato area with children who are prenatal up to age 5. Using the Parents as Teachers curriculum, an evidence-based home visiting model that promotes optimal early development and learning, we address the families significant social determinant of health barriers.
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Home Visiting
Our Somali and Latina staff conduct home visits with families that have children aged prenatal to 5.
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Community Outreach
Our Outreach Coordinators help navigate resources and support our families.
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Health Determinants
Our programming has a strong focus on social determinants of health.