YWCA Expands Impact of 32 Locations with Donations of Collaborative Tech
The YWCA's mission is to advance the quality of life for women of all ages, races, and faiths and for their families. YWCA of Seattle, King County, and Snohomish County is a regional leader in providing the tools and support for women and families to achieve lasting independence. Its programs empower women and families while eliminating the barriers that prevent them from thriving.
In 2008, the YWCA consisted of 32 geographical locations spanning over two counties. Although the organization was using technology, only a few locations were networked. There was no collaboration and no sharing of information. Most work was still being done manually. This informational isolation plus the lack of collaborative technology resulted in many wasted hours and grave inefficiency. Without proper communication, much of the work was being duplicated, and efforts could not be easily coordinated.
After connecting all of its locations through Microsoft Active Directory, with donated Microsoft SharePoint, the organization was able to centralize all its information. Using Microsoft InfoPath, it converted half of its paper forms to digital forms. It has also since automated many processes. Staff in one county specializing in a particular field is now able to collaborate with staff in other offices. This has led to increased efficiency and sharing of best practices. The time that was previously wasted on duplicated efforts is now being used directly with those in need of YWCA's services.
