YWCA SEW

Mission Programs

In Milwaukee:

Since July 2021, we have had 1,295 students sign up for the virtual orientations in Milwaukee:

  • Milwaukee has virtual orientations every Thursday at 9:00am and 1:00pm.
  • Each session is 1 hour.
  • Orientations and enrollment are ongoing.

This is a Department of Public Instruction-approved program based on schoolwork, rather than testing. Participants attend classes for 12 hours per week over 20 weeks. Our curriculum is workforce focused and uses real-life applications as often as possible.

Students are required to attend virtual classes Monday-Thursday, 9:00am- 12:00pm and pass each class with an 80% or higher to complete the program. This program is offered free of charge to students.

PI 5.09 HSED Program Eligibility

  • WISCONSIN RESIDENT, or has lived in Wisconsin for at least 10 days, or is migrant worker as defined in s. 103.90 (5) (a), Stats., or is the child of a migrant worker.
  • 18½ YEARS OLD or older
  • Has NOT GRADUATED FROM HIGH SCHOOL and is not enrolled in a public or private high school
  • Score a 137 higher on the practice GED assessment and/or a level 3 on the M11 TABE test

The next virtual 5.09 HSED start dates for classes in Milwaukee:

  • September 18th
  • December 4th

YWCA SEW and Milwaukee Area Technical College (MATC) work together to provide instruction to the students in the GED and HSED program.

The GED program offers a mix of one-on-one tutoring, and virtual classroom-style instruction while preparing students for GED testing and basic skills improvement in all subject areas including:

  • Language Arts
  • Math
  • Social Studies
  • Science
  • Civics

This program is offered free of charge to students.

One-to-one Coaching

Meet with a financial coach to discuss monthly spending, learn how to improve your credit score, discuss ways to cut costs, develop an individualized plan of action, and more.

Live Virtual Workshops

Learn how to manage your money so that your money doesn’t manage you! Join us as we discuss the importance of budgeting, credit, financial goal setting, and more.

In Racine:

This is a Department of Public Instruction-approved program based on schoolwork, rather than testing. Participants attend classes for 12 hours per week over 20 weeks. Our curriculum is workforce focused and uses real-life applications as often as possible.

Students are required to attend virtual classes Monday-Thursday, 9:00am- 12:00pm and pass each class with an 80% or higher to complete the program.

PI 5.09 HSED Program Eligibility

  • WISCONSIN RESIDENT, or has lived in Wisconsin for at least 10 days, or is migrant worker as defined in s. 103.90 (5) (a), Stats., or is the child of a migrant worker.
  • 18½ YEARS OLD or older
  • Has NOT GRADUATED FROM HIGH SCHOOL and is not enrolled in a public or private high school
  • Score a 137 higher on the practice GED assessment and/or a level 3 on the M11 TABE test

Available in English and Spanish

  • Classes available in English and Spanish
  • English orientations are held Mondays at 5:30pm and Wednesdays at 10:00am
  • Spanish orientations are held Mondays at 9:00am and Tuesdays at 6:00pm

  • Clases disponibles en inglés y español
  • Las orientaciones en inglés se llevan a cabo los lunes a las 5:30pm y miércoles a las 10:00am
  • Las orientaciones en español se llevan a cabo los lunes a las 9:00 am y martes a las 6:00 pm

The next virtual 5.09 HSED start date for classes in Racine: 

  • September 26th
  • November 13th, 2023

Work Experience/Dress for Success Racine is an affiliate of Dress for Success Worldwide, a global non-profit organization that empowers women to achieve economic independence by providing a network of support, professional attire, and development tools to help women thrive in work and in life.

We offer virtual and in-person sessions to provide women with tools and resources needed to succeed in the workplace. YWCA Southeast Wisconsin operates Dress for Success Racine at their Regency Mall location.

For Enrollment:

Milwaukee Orientation

Orientación en Español

Tri-County (Racine, Kenosha, and Walworth County) Evening Orientation

Tri-County (Racine, Kenosha, and Walworth County) Day Orientation