Purpose
The mission of the Young Women's Christian Association (YWCA) is to eliminate racism and empower women.  On a local and global scale, the principal components of the mission are to empower individuals, encourage physical and mental health, strengthen families, foster a sense of community, enhance leadership, and promote youth development.  The purpose of the facility needs assessment is to offer support to the YWCA in continuing to realize and deliver its mission.

Action
The Business Fellows team sought to prepare a facility needs assessment on behalf of the board of the Muncie YWCA as a means to assist the institution in developing short-term and long-term physical goals that are consistent with the organization's strategic plan and mission.

Results
The facility needs assessment began during the fall 2007 semester.   Students conducted and documented interviews with YWCA staff, residents, members, and board members, exploring best practices and simultaneously performing a detailed physical evaluation of the existing physical facilities.  In collecting the data, the team discovered many significant challenges for the Muncie YWCA and consequently made significant changes in its approach.  The erosion of Muncie's industrial economy; declining urban population and income base; and significant reductions in philanthropic contributions, foundation support, and membership, combined with changes in society in general, have shifted the focus of how the mission is delivered.  The team has begun to realize that Ball State University has the programs, capacity, faculty, and students to be a major asset to the Muncie YWCA.  With resource assistance from Ball State, the YWCA can enhance the delivery of its services and contribute to improving the quality of life for the greater Muncie community.

Faculty Mentor
Olon F. Dotson, Department of Architecture

Partner
The Young Women's Christian Association (YWCA) of Muncie

Students
Carlotta Askew; Yangzi Bai; Brielyn Grogan; Ryan Hicks; Ting Li; Jonathan Lynch; Martin Merkel; Jing Ren; Curt Schriner; Cheryl Wendholt; Brenden Williams