The mission of the YWCA is to eliminate racism, empower women, and promote peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all. At the Harbor Area location, this mission is realized through programs focused on workforce development, helping individuals build the skills needed for professional success. Additionally, they offer services that remove barriers to a stable work-life balance, such as childcare, food distribution, and providing essential clothing and household items to families in need. All these efforts are aimed at empowering families to achieve independence.
The Challenge
The YWCA of the Harbor Area describes their journey as a "phoenix story," rising from the ashes to create programs that best serve their community. For too long, their progress was hindered by disorganized financial records and a lack of expertise in managing their finances effectively. They needed assistance to get their books in order and ensure their financial statements could support the growth and enhancement of their programs.
The Solution
Jitasa's team of accountants helped to organize the Harbor Area YWCA's financial records and ensure that their monthly financial statements were accurate and complete. Access to reliable financial information empowered their team to expand programs and better serve the community. For example, this allowed the YWCA to introduce and grow a food distribution program that now provides fresh foods to more than 1,000 families each month.
The Result
With their financial records in order, the Harbor Area YWCA is now well-positioned to apply for grants and pursue other revenue opportunities. Their team is excited about the many possibilities for expanding their current programs and enhancing their impact on the community. Accurate financial data will inform feasibility studies, open up new grant opportunities, and provide valuable insights into the timing and viability of their growth plans.
Why Jitasa?
The YWCA of the Harbor Area was referred to Jitasa by the national organization after seeking advice on their financial challenges. Jitasa stood out from other bookkeeping and accounting firms due to their affordability and their specialized focus on nonprofits. The Jitasa team’s expertise made them uniquely qualified to address the YWCA's financial questions and develop the financial statements needed to support their programs.