Location: Human Rights Advocacy

  • YWCA Carlisle

    YWCA Carlisle

    “Eliminating Racism, Empowering Women”

    YWCA-LogoYWCA Carlisle is a non-profit, social justice centered agency that works to eliminate racism and empower women in the Carlisle community and beyond. YWCA operates programs for people of all genders, from preschool age into adulthood. Many of their program offerings focus on educating members of the Carlisle Community. For example, a youth program called “After School Homework Club”  provides  “a safe and enriching environment for students in grades kindergarten through fifth to complete their homework.” Many of their programs, like this one, are staffed by volunteers from the Carlisle and Dickinson communities. Other programs focus on teaching nutrition, sexual violence prevention, physical wellness, fitness, and respectful communication. There are many volunteer opportunities and ways to get involved, which can be found on the YWCA Carlisle website.

  • The Carlisle Indian School Historical Site

    The Carlisle Indian School Historical Site

    The Carlisle Indian School is an important piece of Carlisle’s history. The school was built on the current site of the Carlisle Barracks in the late 1800s. From 1879-1918 more than 10,000 Native American children were brought to the school with the intention of integrating them into white society. They were taught academics for one half of the day and trades for the other half.

    While this does not necessarily represent a positive time in Carlisle’s history, it is an important part of American and Carlisle history and it should not be ignored.  As we continue to foster a growing and diverse community in Carlisle, we must remember our history and where we came from. Carlisle has a rich history sprinkled with proud moments and rough times. We can learn from both the good and the bad in our history and continue to incorporate it into the community that we are.

    Students, residents, and tourists can visit the Carlisle Indian school and learn about this moment in Carlisle’s history. You can pick up a guided walking tour at the Cumberland County Visitor’s Center on W. High street.

    HD_CarlisleStudents1879.preview