YWCA North Central Indiana – South Bend

⭐ 1/5 JOCELYN is the reason I will no longer be donating to YWCA North Central Indiana after approximately a YEAR of consistently donating BRAND-NEW clothing from my fashion business. I own a fashion business, and I… regularly have brand-new clothing that I cannot use due to sizing, incorrect orders, overstock, etc. Instead of letting perfectly good clothing go to waste, I’ve been donating these items to YWCA North Central Indiana so women and girls who need them can benefit. These are not old, worn-out clothes—they are BRAND-NEW, quality fashion items. For about a year, I have been allowed to drop these donations off. My husband will literally carry the bags inside the building and leave them where instructed. Because I run a business, I cannot always accommodate extremely limited or specific donation drop-off times, and this has never been an issue before. Today, I spoke with JOCELYN and explained this. I told her I’ve been donating this way for approximately a year and that my husband could bring the bags directly inside. I was NOT asking anyone to stop what they were doing and sort through the clothing. All I needed was for someone to receive the bags and put them to the side until the appropriate person was available. JOCELYN told me that she thought it would be better for me to FIND SOMEWHERE ELSE TO DONATE MY CLOTHES. So that is exactly what I will do. And honestly, the unfortunate part is that JOCELYN is not the person who would have benefited from these clothes. The women and girls receiving them would have. I’m sure many of them would have appreciated having access to brand-new clothing. I completely understand having policies and limited staffing. What I do not understand is turning away someone who has consistently donated brand-new merchandise for approximately a year when I wasn’t even asking anyone to process or sort the donation immediately. After supporting this organization for a year, being told by JOCELYN to simply find somewhere else to donate was extremely disappointing. I will gladly take my future donations to an organization that actually wants them and appreciates consistent community support.

If I could give 0 stars I would. I was faced with hostility even after disclosing my severe disability that was caused BY DV !! They dismissed me as an approved VAWA recipient and any other service I asked. Then told… her I had recorded the convo after she made a comment saying “maybe you should be in a care facility or it should be in option in your future”. Hung up and never called back ! Absolutely disheartening. My situation is severe and I was dismissed. All I can say is… if you’re really needing help… look elsewhere if you’d want to avoid the stress and hostility. Disgusted with this organization and I will be giving the audio to proper authorities. No DV survivor should have to face this. Not with an organization that’s made to help.

All Star staff and supportive system couldn’t ask for a better place to recover and grow thanks for helping me on my journey and to all the lives that you touch!

I came to the YWCA because I was scared and needed somewhere safe. Instead, I left feeling like I didn’t matter at all. The food is often moldy or way past the expiration date — not just a few days, but sometimes months… or even longer. A client also found a bug in her peas before. It made me feel like our health just wasn’t important to them. Staff listen to rumors, pick favorites, and judge you before they ever really talk to you. Within my first hour there, they put all my things in the bug oven — even my bra and clothes — and then they dress-coded me for only having a nightgown to wear. If they were worried about what I had on, they should have given me my clothes back instead of embarrassing me. They don’t care about your sleep, either. You get moved around, woken up, and new people are put in your room without warning — even people coming straight from high-risk prison situations. I never felt settled, and I never felt safe. They try to run this place as both a DV shelter and a rehab at the same time, and honestly it feels like neither program actually supports the people who need it. They should pick one and do it right. There was even a man staying there, and nobody warned new clients like me. It was uncomfortable and scary in a place that’s supposed to protect women. What hurt the most is that if you raise concerns — even simple ones — they make you feel like you’re the problem. If you speak up, they threaten to kick you out or actually do. Instead of listening, they punish you. It’s heartbreaking when a place that advertises “support” makes you feel disposable. The staff are unprofessional, the environment feels unsafe, and the way people are treated is honestly devastating. I would never recommend this location to anyone who is already hurting and just needs compassion and stability.

Strong no. I had to stay here for 8 months due to a DV situation and it was the worst. I've never been to prison but I'm guessing this is a close second. Bedbugs, rude staff, rude to us. They aren't there to help you… find housing. I did it myself. They are there to drive you insane. They have weekly meetings and you are REQUIRED to go to them and they don't care if they interfere with the job you have so if you miss a meeting you get to be put on restriction and can't go anywhere but sit in your room. For me, I wasn't there for drugs but let's drug test me literally every single time I walk in the door. Other people will start rumors about you and staff believe them. Tammy is by far the first person there. I wouldnt send my worst enemy there. I wouldnt.

Very rude do not recommend

It’s a good place as far as needing a place to sleep or get clean, but the staff are rude, and act entitled, the food is served expired, and some of the people there only make it more depressing

My friend is there so she can be safe. I l8ve that when she needed help so desperately, they took her in that very same day.

Great caring people. As long as you are serious about getting your life together and getting back in control they will stand beside you 💯 so your able to do so

Life Changing !

As I was trying to share a traumatic experience, the lady kept interrupting me, went silent when asking for help, and ended up hanging up the phone after suggesting I call another number!

If you're in a Domestic, or any abusive relationship seek services here

Good place for women who need help

I can think of no better place to donate any of your stuff you have not used in a minute. They help women and thier kids who are lucky enough to escape a bad situation....mostly with only thier lives....nothing else.… Donate today, you'll be glad you did

No words to explain

They do not help women at all