She didn’t know where she was going—
only that she couldn’t stay where she was.

The decision didn’t come all at once.
It came in quiet moments…
in long nights…
in the realization that something had to change.

When she arrived at Interim House, she didn’t have everything figured out.
But she had taken the first step.

And at Interim House, that step is met with something powerful:
safety.

Not just a place to stay—
but a place to begin again.

A place where she and her children can rest.
Where the doors are open 24/7.

Where support is not just offered—but present every day.

Because leaving is only the beginning.

Healing happens in the days after—
in the moments where someone feels safe enough to breathe again…
where they are supported, not rushed…
where they can begin to rebuild, step by step.

Every day, Interim House stands as that place—
for women and families choosing something safer, something more.

If you feel moved to support someone taking their first step forward,
we invite you to give in support of this work and the lives it continues to impact.

YWCA of Metropolitan Detroit

YWCA Interim House

Support Today

Dear Friends and Supporters,

As Native American Heritage Month continues, and as we move into a season of gratitude and reflection, the YWCA of Metropolitan Detroit invites our community to uplift the stories, contributions, and ongoing presence of Indigenous peoples—especially the women who have led with strength, wisdom, and resilience across generations.

Did you know?

In 1924, Cora Reynolds Anderson, a member of the Lac Vieux Desert Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians, became the first Native American woman elected to the Michigan House of Representatives. Her legacy lives on as a reminder of how Indigenous women have long shaped policy, protected communities, and led with courage—even when their presence went unrecognized by mainstream history.

At the YWCA, our mission to eliminate racism and empower women calls us to honor and amplify these stories—not only in November, but all year long.

Through trauma-informed services, racial justice advocacy, and support programs for women and families, we stand in solidarity with Indigenous women across Detroit, the Great Lakes region, and beyond. As we enter the holiday season, we encourage moments of reflection that make space for both truth and healing—recognizing the ancestral lands we live on and the voices that have protected them.

When we honor Indigenous women, we honor leadership.
When we share truth, we create space for healing.
When we empower women, we transform generations.

With respect and commitment,

YWCA of Metropolitan Detroit

Eliminating Racism. Empowering Women. Strengthening Communities.