1917
YWCA Trivandrum
1919

The YWCA of Trivandrum , one of the pioneering institutions in the country dedicated to the care and welfare of women and girls was formed. On 16 th August 1917 an extra ordinary meeting of some Christian ladies in Trivandrum was held at the Victoria Jubilee Town Hall with Mrs Arthur Parker in the Chair. Ninety six members enrolled then and there. Miss Nina Brentnall took charge as the first General Secretary. Some of the members in the first committee were Mrs Victoria Mathew, Mrs K K Chacko, Miss Mary Isaac, Miss Cumberland, Mrs Bain and Miss Padmam.

1919
Hostel for Lady Students

A Hostel for lady students was started in a rented house in Kunnukuzhy.

1922
Land Purchased for YWCA
1922

Land at the present site at Spencer Junction was purchased with funds from the National YWCA of India, Burma and Ceylon and with money raised by Miss Brentnall form Australia and New Zealand. The ruler of Travancore, the Regent Maharani Sethu Lakshmi Bayi gave some land adjacent to the property at Spencer Junction to the YWCA.

1929
Students’ Hostel Opened
1929

The Students’ Hostel was opened by Her Highness Lady Irwin, wife of the Viceroy of India. The imposing hostel building is a standing tribute to Miss Brentnall’s tireless energy and selfless service. The hostel dating back to 1929 still houses our student residents !

1940
First Indian President YWCA Trivandrum
1940

Dr Mrs Mary Poonen Lukose takes charge as the first Indian President of the YWCA of Trivandrum.

1955
Poonen Memorial Hall
1955
The Poonen Memorial Hall, dedicated to the memory of Mr E Poonen Lukose MD Mch was inaugurated by Smt Rajkumari Amrit Kaur. The Hall which can accommodate 200 odd people continues to be a favourite place for meetings and exhibitions because of its central location in the heart of the city.
1956
Hostel for Non-gazetted Working Women

Hostel for Non-gazetted working women – At the request of the Government, the Annex was started in a rented building.

1957
A Maternity and Child Welfare Centre
1957

The YWCA of Trivandrum was registered under the Charitable Society Act. School and Play Centre at Jagathy

A Maternity and Child Welfare centre was started in a slum area in Kunnukuzhy. This Centre developed into the Creche and Nursery school and was shifted to the Annex Hostel premises at the General Hospital Junction. Rural Development Centre, Peroorkada.

1967
Golden Jubilee Year
1967

Golden Jubilee Year

1973
Creche and Nursery Started

The Creche and Nursery started receiving grant from the Social Welfare Board. It was recognised as a training centre for Nursery school teachers.

1976
The Abode

A multi- storied building which houses the International Guest House ‘The Abode’ was built.

The Rural development Centre at Peroorkada was shifted to Vazhayila. The Nursery School and Creche were relocated at Vazhayila. Tailoring classes were also started.

1996
A Girls’ Home

A Girls’ Home, giving shelter to girls from the age of five from single-parent families was started at Vazhyila.

2003
Working Women’s Hostel
2003

The Annex gets renamed as the Working Women’s Hostel and a new three storeyed building was built at General Hospital Jn.

2009
The Girls’ Home Closed
With changes in the social structure of the local community it was difficult to get young girls to stay at the Home. The Girls’ Home at Vazhayila had to be closed down
2010
Blue Triangle Creations Formed
Women and Employment Unit started at Vazhayila. The Blue Triangle Creations formed under this unit provided employment to three women, one a homeless girl, another separated from her husband and the third a young mother with two daughters.. They stitch home linen and bags of all sizes and shapes.
2014
Hostel for Senior Women
2014

The Hostel for Senior Women was built at the premises at Spencer Jn. This Hostel which offers a safe dwelling place for women after retirement is Trivandrum YWCA’s response to the need of the hour. Admissions are open

2017
Centenary Celebrations
2017