It's a national non-profit organization that has been helping women in Syracuse for close to 130 years. Today, the Young Women’s Christian Association, better known as the YWCA, promotes cultural diversity and helps women improve their lives. Our Brad Vivacqua reports.

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SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- The YWCA' s mission is to eliminate racism and empower women through a number of different programs in Central New York. Locally, the non-profit helps hundreds of women with several backgrounds every day.

The non-profit has a residence program for 55 women and children on Burt Street in Syracuse, and helps low-income women get their lives back together. The group offers assistance with job training and social skills as case managers help women get better connected with the community. The YWCA also helps girls with educational tools to help them lead successful lives.

Officials say community volunteers substantially help the programs.

"We always want volunteers that want to work with the women or the girls or before and after school programs, to give us a little extra of what they are. Our Girls Incorporated programs has career conferences where we bring women who are doing all different careers and we let our girls see what they are," said YWCA Executive Director Joan Durant.

If you'd like to volunteer your time to help with one of the programs, you're encouraged to get in touch with the YWCA.

The YWCA is also preparing for its Diversity Achievers Awards and Luncheon. The event will take place next Thursday, April 26th at SRC Arena at Onondaga Community College. You can register for the morning workshops and or the lunch. Just call (315) 424-0040 for more information.

For more information about the YWCA, visit www.ywca-syracuse.org.