Founded in 1858 and headquartered in Washington, D.C., the YWCA is a women's membership movement whose mission is to eliminate racism and empower women. Strengthened by diversity, the YWCA draws together members who strive to create opportunities for women's growth, leadership and power to attain a common vision: peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all people. The organization is a provider of domestic violence programs and shelters in the United States, serving well more than 500,000 women and children. The organization is also one of the largest providers of child care in the U.S. serving nearly 350,000 children. The YWCA represents more than 2.5 million women, girls and their families through more than 300 associations in the U.S., as well as nearly 25 million women in more than 122 countries worldwide.