Outdoor aerial view of YWCA Emergency Shelter

What We Do

YWCA Cass Clay offers a continuum of empowerment services to meet women where they’re at on their journey toward a life free from violence and homelessness.

A woman and a young boy walking into a room with bunk beds, seen from the doorway.

Emergency Shelter

We operate the largest Emergency Shelter for women and children escaping domestic violence, homelessness, and other crisis situations in North Dakota and northwestern Minnesota.

Our unique empowerment approach and onsite programs make our shelter the only resource of its kind in the region. Wherever someone may be on their journey, we walk alongside them to ensure they have access to the tools and resources necessary to reach their goals and ultimately, build a future free from poverty and violence for their family.

In 2024, we provided 24,076 nights of shelter to 1,238 women and children — 90% of whom were survivors of domestic violence.

A woman sitting on a brown couch with four children, all reading books. The woman is holding a small child and a toddler. Two older children sit next to her, reading their own books. A blue blanket is draped over the older child's legs. Behind them, there is a framed quote on the wall and a small side table with snacks and books on it.

Supportive Housing

YWCA’s Supportive Housing Program is a proven and cost-effective strategy for breaking the cycles of violence and homelessness for present and future generations.

YWCA provides 97 units of safe and affordable, short- and long-term supportive housing in Fargo and West Fargo. From Emergency Shelter to Permanent Housing, there is continuity of support for those served by YWCA.

Supportive Services

  • A woman with long hair and a teal top sitting at a row of desktop computers in a room decorated with framed pictures and wall decor, working on a computer.

    Education & Employment

    Our comprehensive Education and Employment program (E&E) helps women effectively break the cycles of poverty and homelessness.

    Our Job Coach meets with each woman to set goals, discuss obstacles, and outline action steps for moving forward. The program also provides access to our on-site computer lab and varied job readiness and life skills classes.

  • Children sitting at a table engaging in a craft activity in a classroom with boxes and supplies in the background.

    Children's Services

    YWCA offers on-site childcare, Study Buddies after-school program, and a Parent Education Program tailored to the needs of moms calling YWCA home.

    In addition to meeting basic needs, children learn about making healthy choices, they have fun in a safe and supportive environment, and develop positive relationships with adults and other students.

  • Nurse's Office sign on a door, with a view inside showing two women and a child sitting and engaging in activities at a small table in a room with beige walls.

    Health Services

    The Sanford Health RN Care Manager at YWCA meets with survivors to understand their health, explore untreated health issues, gain insurance, and establish care with a primary provider.

    An on-site Residency Clinic provides basic care each month and YWCA’s Respite Care brings two dedicated beds for women facing homelessness who are too ill or frail to recover from illness or injury on their own, but too well to be hospitalized.

  • A woman with brown hair and fair skin sitting on a windowsill, looking at the camera with a neutral expression.

    Human Trafficking Safe Harbor

    YWCA Cass Clay created North Dakota’s first dedicated housing units for trafficking victims and their children in 2015. Decades-deep experience informs YWCA service delivery, and we participate in North Dakota’s Human Trafficking Task Force.

    YWCA’s team meets the unique needs of trafficking survivors with nonjudgement and compassion as they work to rebuild their lives.

An informational display about the history of the U.S. Census and race in America. The display includes a large photo of a diverse group of people wearing T-shirts with different historical labels, standing in front of a brick wall, along with text panels explaining census history and racial classifications.

Racial Justice

In our mission to eliminate racism, YWCA and the Racial Justice Committee create opportunities for conversation that foster a diverse and unified community.

Through participation in the YWCA Racial Justice Challenge and promotion of the RACE Exhibit, we seek to build connections and learn ways to better serve women and children in YWCA programming and our community.

Stories of Lives Transformed

Click each video to view a survivor’s empowerment journey

Mother's hand stroking daughter's hair while she snuggles into bed
Two women hugging outside YWCA Emergency Shelter's doors
Two women talking on couch in front of YWCA logo