YCCAR History:

The York County Community Against Racism organization began in January, 2003, when a racially diverse audience of over 100 people attended a public session entitled “Racism…In Our Churches…In Our Community.” At this meeting Warren Savage, Director of Project Reach Out, Westfield, MA, planted “seeds” of racial healing.  He urged the audience to actively address problems of racism in York County. 

YCCAR accepted that challenge and continued to meet and act in the years that followed.  A dedicated core of volunteers created the organizational vision/mission statement, and a diverse board of directors was formed to guide the workings of YCCAR.

Issues addressed by YCCAR include: racial profiling, equality of employment, voter registration, legal advocacy, and multicultural events.  These areas of concern led to permanent committees designed to focus on study and action.  Other action teams have been created to address racism in terms of faith-based and youth initiatives.

The public relations committee has promoted a YCCAR presence in the community through a multi media campaign, funded partially with a grant from the Women’s Giving Circle of the York County Community Foundation and other contributions.  In January of 2006 YCCAR, an established nonprofit community-based organization, opened an office in downtown York.  It continues to collaborate with public and private organizations for purposes of education, action, and celebration of York County’s diversity.