BABES Network

Location

1118 5th Ave
Seattle, WA 98101
United States

Hours

Sunday Closed Monday Closed Tuesday 10:00 am-4:00 pm Wednesday 10:00 am-4:00 pm Thursday 10:00 am-4:00 pm Friday 10:00 am-4:00 pm Saturday Closed
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Currently closed

Contact

BABES Network provides peer support for women living with HIV. Since 1989, this program has reduced isolation and stigma and created a "sisterhood of support" for women affected by HIV and their families through education, outreach, advocacy, and more.

Upcoming Closure Notice: To allow time and space for staff & program wellness, the Health Care Access Program and BABES Network will be closed to new referrals beginning December 13. Community Health Workers, Peers, and Case Managers will begin reviewing referrals for triage and response the first week of January. Referrals sent between December 15 - January 3 can expect responses the second week in January.

The mission of BABES Network is to reduce isolation, promote self-empowerment, enhance the quality of life, and serve the needs of women living with HIV. 

Led by HIV-positive peer advocates, BABES is the only program of its kind in the region and serves hundreds of HIV-positive women and their families each year. Services for BABES members include: 

  • One-on-one peer counseling
  • Non-medical case management
  • Support groups
  • Educational forums
  • Advocacy
  • Social events and retreats
  • "BABES Talking" quarterly newsletter

The BABES Team is currently meeting people at our Opportunity Place location by appointment only. If you are not currently working with a peer advocate or case manager, please email us at: babesallstaff@ywcaworks.org or call us at (206) 720-5566.

Support Groups

  • For HIV-positive women: every Thursday, noon – 1:30 p.m.
  • For Snohomish County HIV-positive women: every fourth Tuesday from 6 – 7:30 p.m.

HIV & Women of Color

Did you know that black women are disproportionately affected by HIV, compared to women of other ethnic groups? Nearly two-thirds of women newly diagnosed with HIV in the U.S. are African American. In Washington State, the rate of new HIV diagnoses is 25 times higher for black women than it is for white women.

Eligibility & Enrollment

BABES Network primarily serves women who live in Washington State.  

  • Call 206.720.5566 for a phone intake with a BABES peer advocate. 
  • You can also email babesallstaff@ywcaworks.org. When you send an email, you acknowledge that we may reply with a message identifying ourselves as from YWCA.   
  • Any information provided will be kept confidential and is not shared with anyone.  

To enroll in BABES, you will be asked for:

  • Proof of income 
  • Proof of health insurance 
  • Proof of HIV status 

Related Events

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Related News

A Sisterhood of Support - BABES Network

December 2, 2024 Blog Post
Since 1989, YWCA's BABES Network has worked to eliminate the stigma around HIV through education, outreach, advocacy, and more, reducing the isolation women living with HIV feel with their "sisterhood of support."

YWCA's Week Without Violence

October 21, 2024 Blog Post
For over 20 years during Domestic Violence Awareness Month, YWCAs across the country have set aside one week in October as a Week Without Violence, during which we raise awareness, elevate survivor voices, talk with policymakers, and unite under a common goal: centering survivors and working together to end gender-based violence.