Who We Are

Close-up of mother holding young boy's hand outside YWCA Emergency Shelter

Our Mission

YWCA Cass Clay is dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women, and promoting peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all.

With support from the community, we have been empowering women to reach their full potential since 1906.

Throughout the last 47 years, we have provided safe shelter and supportive housing to over 47,000 women and children, and in any given day, we serve over 300 individuals in our shelter, housing, and stabilization programs.

With support from the community we continue our work of helping women break the cycles of violence and poverty for their families.

For more than a century, YWCA has been a place of safety, hope, and support for women, children, and families. We stand ready to continue this work for as long as our community needs.

Our Core Values

Fearlessly Real
We embrace reality in thought, speech, and actions.

Proactively Caring
We provide intentional care for each other, our participants, and our stakeholders.

Pursuing Excellence
We are never satisfied with the status quo when it comes to making a difference for women and children in need.

Milestones in YWCA Cass Clay History

YWCA Cass Clay Leadership Team

  • Erin Prochnow

    CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

  • Julie Haugen

    CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER

  • Ashley Mitchell

    HUMAN RESOURCES DIRECTOR

  • Katie Severson

    FINANCE DIRECTOR

  • Jill DeVries

    DEVELOPMENT OFFICER

  • Sarah Selseth

    CHIEF PROGRAM OFFICER

  • Man with glasses standing in front of foliage

    Barry Dahl

    FACILITIES DIRECTOR

  • Molly Benedetto

    SHELTER MANAGER

  • Lisa Ducheneaux

    SHELTER SUPERVISOR

  • Alyssa Heinz

    CHILDREN’S SERVICES DIRECTOR

  • Michaela Sletmoe

    GRACE GARDEN PROGRAM MANAGER

  • Jordan Dufner

    LANTERN LIGHT PROGRAM MANAGER

Board of Directors

Our Board of Directors is a diverse group of leaders using their passion, insights, and connections in the community to create real impact for YWCA Cass Clay.

2023–2024 Officers

Rayonna Hystead, President

Tammi Jo Barta, First Vice President

Louise Dardis, Second Vice President

Megan Schreiner, Treasurer

Lisa Schwinden, Secretary

Mary Jo Lewis, Past President

Erin Prochnow, Chief Executive Officer

Directors

Krista Andrews

Adair Boening

Jodi Duncan

Jessica Ebeling

Anita Hoffarth

Anne LaFrinier-Ritchie

Celine Paulson

Josie Perhus

Sandi Piatz

Sherri Schmidt

Paula Swanson

Cassie Wiste