Two Bloomington women's social service agencies will become partners. YWCA McLean County will add Labyrinth Outreach Services to Women to its list of offerings next month. The organization helps women released from jail or prison to promote independent living and reduce repeat offenses.
Labyrinth Outreach Co-President Mary Campbell said the two groups have been discussing the idea for over three years.
"It's been the belief of our board that we needed to be a part of a larger organization who had a compatible mission. And the YWCA's mission is our mission. It's to empower women, it's to address discrimination and make sure that people have dignity."
Campbell said the collaboration will help the organization survive and expand.
"It will allow our program to grow, to have full-time staff, to write grants, to do publicity; all the things we've been doing as volunteers," she added.
The partnership will give the YWCA a new program and a presence on the west side of Bloomington. Members of the public will be able to learn more about the program and tour the facility at an open house next month.