YWCA is established in Fargo and begins as an outgrowth of the Women’s Christian Temperance Union. It is housed in the basement of the Herbst Department Store.

YWCA raises funds to purchase property at 104 10th St N.

Women are legally granted the right to vote in the United States with the passage of the 19th Amendment.

YWCA hosted 483 transient guests, 23 permanent roomers, and 240 placements in housework, totaling more than 525 women registered in activities that year.

YWCA relocates to 115 Roberts Street where it remains until 1942.

The Shields Hotel (15 S 7th St) is purchased, and extensive remodeling is completed as it was the home of the Fargo Daily Argus, forerunner of the Forum.

This building housed YWCA until its demolition 34 years later and provided room to house 65 women.

The possibility of a joint YWCA/YMCA location is explored but no agreement is reached.

YWCA moves into downtown—The YMCA struggles to raise money for a building without YWCA’s affiliation so YWCA agrees to help.

YMCA will own the property at 4th St S, and YWCA is assured equal use of the facilities.

YWCA opens “Second Chance” Thrift Shop to support operations.

Associations at the 25th National YWCA Convention approve the One Imperative

“…to thrust our collective power toward the elimination of racism wherever it exists…”

The first YWCA Women of the Year event honored 117 women and was held in Moorhead at The Tree Top Restaurant in the F-M Hotel.

YWCA emergency shelter takes shape—YWCA signs 5-year lease for third floor of Bison Hotel on North Broadway, first establishing Emergency Shelter.

YWCA Emergency Shelter opens as a 24-hour refuge on February 6, 1978.

YWCA’s “A Chocolate Romance” (what would eventually become YWCA Chocolate for Change) fundraiser began in February 1984 and was held at the Plains Art Museum.

Nationwide, YWCAs change their name from Y.W.C.A. to YWCA to demonstrate that women of all faiths, whether Christian or not, are welcome.

The Fargo-Moorhead YWCA purchases the Gamma Phi Beta sorority house at 1616 12th Avenue North and moves to its new location during YWCA week, April 21-26.

YWCA Programs expanded:

• Employment Development program is initiated

• Childcare services are expanded

• Student volunteers are utilized

YWCA launches the Transitional Housing Program, initially serving three families.

The program expands the following year with the donation of a 4-unit apartment building by R.G. and Lorry Lyngstad.

The Endowment Committee is established, and a goal of $1 million is set for 1995.

FM-YWCA is the recipient of a Housing and Urban Development (HUD) grant (our first) for the new transitional housing program.

YWCA’s “Unique Boutique” is created and offers an opportunity for shelter residents to shop for Christmas gifts.

The Job Plus Program (now known as Education & Employment Services) is established.

Through a partnership with the Fargo Housing Authority, YWCA’s Transitional Housing program increases to 8 units.

In late August, the administrative staff moves to the new building at 3100 12th Ave N and the ChildCare Center opens on September 2, 1997.

YWCA closes Second Chance Thrift Shop after 20 years citing rising costs and the challenges of running a business in downtown Fargo.

YWCA holds the first annual community School Supply Drive which distributes supplies, backpacks, and shoes to 1,190 kids. This program is eventually adopted by United Way.

YWCA’s Racial Justice Committee is established.

In August of 2001, YWCA Emergency Shelter is forced to evacuate the shelter at 1616 12th Ave N due to mold.

Shelter residents move to PRACS institute and then to the River’s Edge building located at 355 6th Ave S, Fargo through December 2003.

YWCA conducted a “Building Hope” campaign for a new shelter and broke ground at 3000 S University Dr. in Fargo.

YWCA moved into the new YWCA Shelter in April, increasing capacity to 65 women & children.

A Grand Opening Celebration and ribbon cutting for the new Shelter was held in June.

New national logo and branding is released.

Organization’s name changes from YWCA of Fargo-Moorhead to YWCA Cass Clay.

The Sisters of the Presentation partner with YWCA, generously opening 2 new units - growing the program to a total of 12 units.

The Shelter Faith Community Nurse launched as a pilot program, eventually called the Sanford Health RN Care Manager at YWCA.

Based on participant feedback and to provide flexible arrangements for those overcoming significant barriers to independence, 4 units are dedicated to permanent supportive housing, growing YWCA’s housing program to 16 units.

YWCA is awarded its first Justice Department Transitional Housing (JDTH) grant and 10 additional units are added for victims of domestic violence, expanding the program to 26 units.

YWCA is awarded over a half million dollars in stimulus grant funds for housing and homeless prevention.

YWCA Emergency Shelter is evacuated for six days during the 2009 flood.

YWCA celebrated the 40th Annual Women of the Year event by inviting all past recipients to a special recognition event.

YWCA Supportive Housing celebrates 25 years with the dedication of 10 new units of permanent supportive housing provided through Sisters of the Presentation in the convent adjacent to YWCA Emergency Shelter

1,775 individuals have been served, and supportive housing is made a strategic priority. YWCA sets an ambitious goal to double its 19 units by 2020.

A substantial gift from Sammons Financial provides YWCA with funding to dedicate 2 housing units to survivors of human trafficking.

YWCA announces plans to build Grace Garden: A YWCA Supported Residence in West Fargo near Lutheran Church of the Cross. YWCA secures gift of $1.5M from Gate City Bank to provide support services at Grace Garden.

In partnership with Sanford and Essentia, YWCA adds the Respite Care Program for women experiencing homelessness who have nowhere else to turn after experiencing a medical crisis or treatment.

U.S. Department of Justice Violence Against Women Transitional Housing grant renewed for four years. The federal award totaling over $515,000 is the largest grant YWCA has received.

A ceremonial groundbreaking is held on June 5, 2018 at 1480 16th St E, West Fargo and construction of Grace Garden begins.

30 one- to four-bedroom apartments, fitness room, community spaces for classes & gatherings, and a playground open at Grace Garden.

Featured guest at the ribbon cutting is YWCA USA CEO Alejandra Castillo, the first time a YWCA USA president has visited from Washington, D.C.

Global COVID-19 pandemic impacts the world and YWCA .

Residents and staff tested for COVID-19 on a regular basis starting in May. Extra safety precautions put in place include a major shelter renovation to create 6 additional private restrooms.

Capacity of shelter increases by 5 beds to 72. Shelter Children’s Services childcare is remodeled for better space utilization.

YWCA closes A Child’s World public childcare center and moves Administrative Offices to leased space in south Fargo’s Osgood neighborhood.

YWCA Cass Clay receives $2M gift from MacKenzie Scott. YWCA was selected alongside other charities across the U.S. based on a data-driven approach evaluating community needs, program outcomes, and each nonprofit’s capacity to effectively use funding.

YWCA Cass Clay obtains ownership of Minnesota Science Museum RACE Exhibit.

A new program, Shelter Stabilization, is added to support individuals in maintaining housing and independence after they leave YWCA Emergency Shelter.

YWCA agrees to purchase the former Sacred Heart Convent from the Sisters of the Presentation. YWCA will renovate the site to create 19 units of permanent supportive housing (adding to the 4 already there in use by YWCA). Both parties collaborated to name the new housing site Lantern Light: A YWCA Supported Residence.

YWCA Supportive Housing Program grows with Sierra Townhomes. Eight of 38 homes are reserved for families transitioning from homelessness who receive advocacy and supportive services from YWCA, bringing the total units of housing to 80.

YWCA Receives Bezos Day 1 Families Fund grant to help end homelessness

YWCA Cass Clay was selected by leading experts on homelessness and service provision. The one-time award of $2.5M will support efforts over 5 years and is the largest grant in YWCA Cass Clay’s history.

The $8M+ renovation to transform the convent into 23 apartment homes began in August. Lantern Light will be home to approximately 60 adults and children when the residence opens in late 2023.

Board members reunite at Bold! YWCA Legacy Leaders event in March, gathering to reconnect with each other and the mission of YWCA.

New parenting education program is launched to address the unique challenges of parents experiencing homelessness and healing from trauma.

YWCA's Women of the Year celebrates 50 years in April. Forty-one women and organizations were recognized that evening, adding their names alongside more than 2,000 past honorees.

YWCA hosts Empowered! Women Who Rise Above featuring Golden Globe nominee, humanitarian, and NY Times best-selling author, Ashley Judd. 800+ attended this special event held to celebrate the 50th anniversary of YWCA Women of the Year.

Lantern Light: A YWCA Supported Residence is completed, adding 23 units to YWCA Supportive Housing. Special guests at the ribbon-cutting ceremony in November included YWCA USA COO Karen Burke and YWCA USA Board Chair Pia Wilson-Body, as well as Dr. Ruth T. Jones Nichols, Senior Advisor for Strategic Engagement, Office of the Secretary, U.S. Dept. of Housing and Urban Development.

With the addition of Lantern Light, YWCA now provides 95 units of safe and affordable supportive housing in Fargo/West Fargo.

YWCA Cass Clay CEO, Erin Prochnow, is one of 50 community leaders who attended Communities in Action: Building a Better North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska at the White House in mid-November.

YWCA Emergency Shelter on South University marks 20 years of serving the community and undergoes significant updates including: new flooring and blinds, furnishings in the Intake Office, an AV upgrade to host virtual meetings, and phase of a $1M+ HVAC replacement.

YWCA was awarded a new HUD grant to expand our Domestic Violence Housing Program, doubling its size to over $350,000.

In July, YWCA opened 12 freshly renovated units of affordable, supportive housing for women and families. YWCA had leased two six-plexes adjacent to the Emergency Shelter from the Sisters of the Presentation for many years. YWCA purchased the two buildings and renamed them Cove Lane, honoring Nano Nagle, the Sisters’ foundress.