YWCA Mount Desert Island is dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women and promoting peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all.
What We Do ↘
Safe lodging. Community support. A place to belong — since 1904.
We are the only YWCA in Maine still offering safe, affordable lodging for women and girls — a mission that has grown into a full community center, with programs supporting local students, women in crisis and neighbors of all ages across MDI.
We're also woven into the rhythm of community life on MDI, with beloved annual traditions like the Carol Dyer Luminaria Evening, our free Thanksgiving community meal, and the holiday Children's Bazaar. Throughout the year, we host a senior chair exercise class three times a week — just one more way we bring neighbors together, all year round.
See below for YWCA MDI programs and how to support our work!
Honoring the
People of the Dawn
YWCA Mount Desert Island occupies the homeland of the Wabanaki, the People of the Dawn — including the Abenaki, Maliseet, Mi'kmaq, Passamaquoddy, and Penobscot Nations — who have stewarded this land for thousands of generations in what is now called Maine.
Our mission is to eliminate racism, empower women and promote peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all. Honoring Indigenous people is not separate from that work — it is how we practice it. We hold this acknowledgment as a living commitment to truth, respect and solidarity with the Wabanaki people, both in name and in action.
Land acknowledgment is a starting point, not an end point. We have included Wabanaki-led organizations and collaborative efforts working toward sovereignty, land return and cultural continuance. Join us in learning from them directly and supporting their work.
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Located right here in Bar Harbor, this Smithsonian-affiliated, Wabanaki-led museum shares Wabanaki art, history, and culture through exhibitions and native-guided programs — a meaningful place to start learning close to home.
Plan your visit today! -
The Wabanaki Alliance was formed in 2020 to educate people of Maine about the need for securing sovereignty of the tribes in Maine.
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Supports traditional Wabanaki basketmakers and artisans, helping sustain a centuries-old cultural practice.
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A collaborative of more than 60 conservation organizations working in partnership with the intertribal Wabanaki Commission on Land and Stewardship to return land, access, and resources to Wabanaki Nations.
Support their work here!
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![Lodging for Women & Girls]()
Lodging for Women & Girls
YWCA MDI is the only YWCA in the state of Maine to offer lodging to women and girls.
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![Benni Mutual Aid Program]()
Benni Mutual Aid Program
Our Benni Mutual Aid Program encompasses our mutual aid serivces that include financial aid, free heaters in the winter, and a Pay It Forward fund to help inspire random acts of kindness.
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![Racial Justice]()
Racial Justice
The YWCA hosts an annual Martin Luther King Jr. sleepover and service project to engage young people in our mission to eliminate racism.
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![Scholarships]()
Scholarships
We help in funding educational opportunities for traditional and non-traditional students.
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Strong Bodies Senior Exercise Class
Low-impact aerobic exercise designed to strengthen bones and help in the prevention of osteoarthritis and osteoporosis. All are welcome!
Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday
9:15am to 10:15amContact YWCA MDI directly to learn how to sign up!
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Resource Assistance Program
Our resource coordinator provides one-on-one support to help individuals and families access the services and resources they need to thrive.
Appointments available beginning Sept 8, 2026.
Support our mission for gender equality and racial justice ↘
$25
Keeps lodgers emergency supplies stocked.
$50
Provide financial assistance for a woman experiencing financial hardship.
$100
Provides one week of lodging to a woman in need.
$___
Any amount helps!