Our History
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Our History
Friends of Yates has been serving Wyandotte County, and the people of Kansas City, KS, for over 100 years. Proudly becoming a cornerstone of the community.
Friend of Yates, Inc. is a participant of the collaborative effort, known as the Metropolitan Family Violence Coalition (MFVC), which represents the six domestic violence programs in Greater Kansas City Area. The coalition is committed to providing safety for domestic violence victims across the Metropolitan Area.
How does an organization last for over 100 years? Dedication, passion, strength, and a strong foundation.
1913
Friends of Yates started its life as the KCK (Kansas City, Kansas) chapter of the YWCA.
As early as June 1907 there were proposals for a “colored women’s branch” of the YWCA. Finally on March 16, 1911, a mass meeting was held at the First Baptist Church, 5th and Nebraska, to organize such a branch. However it wasn’t until March 4, 1913 that the Yates Branch YWCA was officially organized in the first unit of the Mason Memorial United Methodist Church.
This branch served over 69 years in the capacity of providing educational and recreational programs for children, youth, adults, and senior citizens. Emphasis was placed on civic and social responsibility, religion, the arts, health, and family leisure activities.
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1915
In 1915, the branch moved to 9th and Nebraska and a matron was hired to supervise roomers. By 1920, the branch had moved to 337 Washington Blvd and had 25 girls as roomers.
1945
The branch was known as the “Colored Women’s Branch” until 1945, when it was renamed Yates in honor of Josephine Yates, believed to be the first African-American woman to hold a full professor’s position at a university and an African-American women’s club leader in Kansas City, MO.
1929-1960
“V” Velma Hardee Middlebrooks was brought in to direct the growth of the branch from 1929-1960.
In a May 1949 article in The Kansas City Call, Middlebrooks says she was brought to the Yates branch to “help this baby walk.” Prior to her arrival, the branch had grown, but slowly. When she arrived the branch had just 45 members and very little programming. By 1949, Middleton had grown the branch membership to more than 1000.
1980
In 1980, Friends of Yates, Inc. received a grant from the Governor’s Committee on Criminal Administration and United Way to open the first and only Domestic Violence Emergency shelter in Wyandotte County.
Within 24 hours of its opening, the shelter was full to capacity.
1983-2008
In January of 1983, the Wyandotte County Battered Women’s Shelter officially changed its name to the Rebecca Vincson Center who was a prominent African-American political leader that was vested in issues affecting women and children.
The shelter proudly carried this name until March 18, 1994, when it was again renamed the Joyce H. Williams Center after another pioneer for Women’s Rights. Finally in 2008, the shelter made its final name change when it became the Della Gill/Joyce H. Williams Center for Battered Women and their Dependent Children.
2023
Friends of Yates celebrates its centennial anniversary.
This marks 100 years of serving the community and providing assistance for those most in need.
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