YWCA Utah Meets Values with $15 Equitable Pay
YWCA Utah Meets Equitable Values with $15 Equitable Pay
Salt Lake City, UT, April 1, 2022—YWCA Utah's renewed energy and focus on eliminating racism centers equity for the organization and advances goals toward equitable pay and a desirable workplace environment. The $15/hr minimum wage milestone more than doubles the state minimum and comes after dedicated grant writing, fundraising, and advocacy efforts over the last two years. This is the first step to the long-term goal of establishing a living wage for all staff but especially for entry-level positions.
With a mission to eliminate racism, empower women, and promote peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all, YWCA Utah answers their call to action in a critical way by advancing racial justice through wage equity. The atmosphere at the organization is inclusive in a space where differences are honored, and open communication invites change. Elevating a balanced pay system will uplift and support frontline service work in impactful ways.
“A lot of hard work and love went into reaching our goal to raise the minimum wage for our dedicated staff,” said Liz Owens, YWCA Utah CEO. “This milestone is very emotional for us and I am proud to share such a joyous moment as our century-old organization does its mission impact work to achieve a $15 starting wage for employees, regardless of race, sex, ability, or gender expression.”
YWCA Utah’s workforce supports critical life-saving resources in emergency shelter and crisis response for those experiencing domestic violence. Our Children’s Services provide high quality early education, Afterschool and teen programming that’s trauma-informed and children centered. Policy advocacy for women and girls drives change at the state and local level, aligning with prevention strategies and gender and racial equity programming to make systemic shifts.
Mission-driven activities lead decision making inside the organization first. At YWCA Utah, affinity groups and anti-racist discussions help staff do the work to live up to our grand mission that pushes the organization forward.
Learn more at www.ywcautah.org/what-we-do.
ABOUT YWCA UTAH
YWCA Utah is a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women, and promoting peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all. Since 1906, the organization has worked to advance the well-being of Utah women in key dimensions of their lives through direct programming, education, research, and advocacy. Unemployment, fair working conditions, racial discrimination, affordable housing, family violence, and homelessness are some of the issues YWCA Utah has addressed during its history. Today YWCA Utah is the state’s oldest, largest, and most comprehensive provider of crisis shelter, transitional housing, family justice services, and supportive services for survivors of domestic violence.
For Immediate Release
Contact: Priscilla Rountree
Director of Marketing and Communications
YWCA Utah
801.830.0319 | prountree@ywcautah.org