102 years after it first came to the Quad Cities, the YWCA has opened an office on the Iowa side of the river. And joining the celebration Tuesday afternoon, and helping to cut the ribbon, was Governor Kim Reynolds.
The Y's Vice President for Development, Deanna Woodall, says the current programs in downtown Rock Island will continue, but now most of them will also be offered in Davenport in what she calls the "Iowa Empowerment Center." These include job training and placement, resume writing, computer access, and monthly programs.
"We really want people to view that river as a connector and not a divider, but there will always be those who don't want to cross the river and now they can come to us in Iowa."
The new YWCA office is located at One River Place, on East River Drive across from Gilda's Club.
Woodall says the organization has been in downtown Rock Island for 67 years, and in the Quad Cities for 102 years.