12/16/2025
Housing Justice Efforts Deepen Commitment to Resident Leadership
YWCA Madison’s Housing Justice programs is built on the belief that stable housing is a human right and that the people most impacted by housing inequities must be at the center of shaping housing systems that impact their lives. In 2025, we took a powerful step forward and deepened our commitment to housing justice with the launch of YWCA Madison’s Resident Development Leadership Program, made possible through two major grant investments and a partnership with UBUNTU Research and Evaluation.
The transformative Resident Development Leadership Program is designed to build resident agency and leadership by shifting decision-making power to those with lived experience. Rather than positioning residents solely as recipients of services at our Downtown Residence, we are supporting them as co-leaders, researchers, and community change-makers.
“This program is an opportunity for the most marginalized voices to be uplifted and for those most impacted to connect, convene, and create change,” said Koren Denninson, who facilitated the sessions. “Resident leaders are the face and the gas driving change at the Downtown Residence. I hope this work continues to ripple outward, empowering more people to see themselves as leaders despite what they have lived through.”
Building Trust, Sklls and Shared vision
The first phase of the program is funded by the Systems Alignment Innovation Hub (SAIH) and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. Through this investment, YWCA Madison staff partnered with eight resident leaders from the Singles Housing and Third Street programs to engage in training focused on building relational trust, co-creating shared values, and developing skills to implement impactful community research.
Together, residents and staff are designing and implementing a community needs assessment centered on belonging, safety, and well-being. This process ensures that future planning and program design are informed directly by the voices and experiences of residents.
YWCA Madison is one of twelve organizations nationwide selected as an Equity Capacity Building Grant recipient. “YWCA Madison’s Resident Development Leadership Program represents the bold, community-rooted innovation our nation needs,” said Dr. LaMont Green, SAIH Co-director. “When residents most impacted by housing inequities are supported to lead, research, and co-design solutions, systems begin to shift toward justice. We are proud to support work that demonstrates what becomes possible when institutions trust community wisdom and lived expertise.”
Leadership Rooted in Purpose and Collective Care
For resident leaders, the program has become a space for growth, connection, and renewed purpose.
“This program gives me purpose to grow,” shared resident leader Felisha Boulden. “It gives me strength and helps me focus on the changes I am learning through the Leadership program.”
YWCA Madison staff see the program as a model for how community leadership can transform housing environments from the inside out.
“Our Resident Leadership Development Program enhances leadership skills while honoring the strengths residents already bring,” said Joe Hecht, Singles Housing Coordinator. “By placing ownership of community with residents, we are creating new ways for neighbors to connect and ensure their voices shape future planning.”
Expanding Capacity Through Healing-Centered Practices
Additional funding from Madison Community Foundation has expanded this work beyond resident leadership by supporting staff development and organizational capacity-building across YWCA Madison. This includes training in trauma-informed and healing-centered care practices in partnership with Anesis Therapy Center.
This investment strengthens teams’ ability to integrate participant-driven approaches into daily operations, ensuring consistent and supportive pathways toward stability across all programs.
“YWCA Madison’s Resident Development Leadership Program will strengthen the organization’s culture for years to come,” said Angela Davis, Director of Grantmaking at Madison Community Foundation. “We value efforts that bring residents and staff together to build shared capacity, and we are proud to support this work alongside national funders.”
A Shared Path Toward Lasting Change
Through these combined investments, resident leaders and staff will continue their development in partnership with YWCA Madison’s Learning and Movement Building team. Together, they are cultivating mutual accountability, shared leadership, and a culture of transformation that improves the well-being of women, families, and people of color most impacted by systemic inequities.
YWCA Madison is building a future where residents are not just participants, but co-leaders whose lived experiences drive systems toward racial and gender justice.
“At a time when social safety nets are strained, these grants affirm that investing in resident leadership is not only about crisis response,” said Gery Paredes Vásquez, CEO of YWCA Madison. “It is about building communities where people can heal, lead, and thrive.”
These partnerships also highlight the essential role of unrestricted dollars in advancing equity-driven work. YWCA Madison’s journey has been made possible through the trust of partners who believe in the organization’s ability to respond to community needs with care and accountability.
To continue nurturing resident leadership, strengthening staff capacity, and seeding long-term transformation, YWCA Madison relies on ongoing investment and unrestricted support. Join us in advancing equity and shared leadership by making a gift.