QC YWCA finds a new home
The curtain is falling on the old YWCA building in downtown Rock Island. The non-profit organization moved into its new building a couple of blocks away on Thursday. It’s about three times the size of its old facility.
“It’s been, oh my gosh, five years in the making and finally today is moving day,” said Julie Larson, QC YWCA president and CEO.
Staff members were doing the heavy lifting Thursday morning as they moved everything into their brand-new facility at 513 17th St., Rock Island. The old 24,000-square-foot building (229 16th St., Rock Island) has been used for decades, and Larson says the move is long overdue.
“Everybody is just excited about the new facility,” Larson said. “This building has served us very well over the years since 1954 but were really looking forward to a new chapter at the YWCA.”
The YWCA’s new home cost $20 million; the non-profit received $19,400,000 in donations over the years, thanks to grants and community members. The larger space will allow the YWCA to grow and expand its services by adding more childcare classrooms, a new fitness room, a new aquatic area equipped with a slide and lazy river, an upgraded gym, a new empowerment center that will provide employment-training programs, and much more.
“It really just enhances the services that we have here and it allows to expand and serve more individuals in the community,” Larson said.
Because of COVID, inflation, and other challenges, the YWCA had to hold off on its move to a new facility for five years. Larson began working at the non-profit 25 years ago, and she never could have predicted a move like this, and she is beyond excited to see where it takes them in the future.
“I don’t even know what to say. I don’t think it has really hit yet,” Larson said. “I drive by it every day and just get a big smile on my face because we did it. It was tough but as women and as community leaders, we put ourselves together and made it happen. We’re just really excited about the opportunities for people in Rock Island and the entire community. We’re really looking forward to a new chapter for the YWCA.”
The childcare center will be open on May 6. Larson also says other services will be ready to go in the coming weeks as employees get organized in the new building. There will also be a rooftop patio coming in the future. Once that is completed, the building will be 72,000 square feet.
For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHBF - OurQuadCities.com.
