Celebrating One Year of
Empowering Young Women
On February 26th, the Women’s Live and Learn Center will celebrate its first anniversary — marking one year since welcoming its very first resident on February 26, 2025. For Residential Services Manager Brittany Sostre, this milestone represents more than time. It represents courage, resilience, and new beginnings.
Brittany deeply believes in YWCA’s mission and the life-changing impact of its work. She is passionate about advocating for women and walking alongside them in their journeys.
The center provides housing for up to
four years
and supportive services (including
case management, child care,
transportation,
workforce development
and
mental health services) for
women 18–26 and their young children to advance economic mobility. The center is designed with private rooms in a dorm setting. While residents are responsible for their own food and personal hygiene items, they have direct access to the YWCA Food Pantry. Sostre explained that the goal is to support residents as they pursue educational or career opportunities. Over the four years of residency, the program helps residents stabilize, so that upon completion, they can confidently pursue renting or even owning a home.
The center's RESET program helps residents identify career pathways and offers educational coaching, life skills, case management, and referrals to job training and placement opportunities. The program helps residents focus on strengthening engagement, work readiness, and ongoing needs assessment.
One resident, who previously completed her bachelor’s degree, is pursuing her Master's Program while living at the center. With the support of the case manager and the economic empowerment team, she is building not only education — but equity, budgeting skills, and long-term stability. Sostre said residents work directly with the economic empowerment team, so residents tend to their budget and build up equity to move to a place of their own.
The center provides clinical support to help residents process emotional trauma in a safe, confidential setting. Because many residents have experienced significant life challenges, the entire team is certified in Trauma Informed Care. Residents will soon have a peer-led mental health group and an events planning team, creating space for connection, leadership development, and community building.
Childcare is available to remove barriers to education and employment — because no mother should have to choose between caring for her child and building her future. By providing childcare, the center empowers young mothers to attend classes, pursue career training, and work toward long-term independence. Through its Health Equity program partners bring mobile medical vehicles directly to the center, providing general health screenings and preventative care services.
For more information, to volunteer, or donate contact
(210) 433-9922 or visit
www.ywcasa.org/womens-live-and-learn-center
