CONNECTIONS MARCH 2021
INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY ONLINE CELEBRATION
Celebrate women’s leadership with us online Monday, March 8 from 6:00 -7:15 P.M. for International Women’s Day 2021.

The event will feature interviews with women leaders, trivia, online mix and mingle and more!

This event is free and open to anyone. Register on our website and we look forward to connecting with you soon.
UPDATES IN AND AROUND OUR COMMUNITY
Social Issues Readings





We use our social issues readings section to share articles on current events and analysis on a variety of topics. Sign up for our Social Issues Readings newsletter for more!
Please note our March hours for in-person and phone services

We are open Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:30 A.M. - 6:00 P.M. and Wednesdays from 9:30 A.M. - 8:30 P.M. for in-person appointments or phone supports. Please call us at 403-264-1155 and we can schedule your visit or assist with food bank referrals and other over the phone supports.

We are also continuing to offer options for women to connect and learn online with our March workshops and programs, listed throughout this newsletter, or you can visit our website for more details. We look forward to connecting with you soon!


Hours of Operation

Mondays
9:30 A.M. - 6:00 P.M.
Tuesdays
9:30 A.M. - 6:00P.M.
Wednesdays
9:30 A.M. - 8:30 P.M.
Thursdays
9:30 A.M. - 6:00 P.M.

Closed on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays as well as statutory holidays.
Current WC Volunteer Opportunities

For details or to apply to any of our volunteer positions please email our Basic Needs Coordinator, Allison, or visit our website.

Benefits Navigator
Each year the Women’s Centre works with volunteers to assist low income women with
completing their tax returns and helping them to understand the different government programs
they may qualify for. Training will be provided.

Peer Support
Peer support is the core service of the Centre and provided by volunteers who are supported by the Women's Centre staff. This is non-judgmental support with whatever women are looking for, and could include providing referrals, information, or a listening ear.

Tax Volunteer
Each year the Women’s Centre works with volunteers to assist low income women with
completing their tax returns and helping them to understand the different government programs
they may qualify for.
Filing Your 2020 Taxes - What you need to know
This free workshop, hosted by Momentum, features Bonnie McIntyre from the CRA to answer all your tax filing questions.

Date: March 2

Time: 10:00am - 11:00 am

Register here.
XO Fine Jewellery Partnership for IWD

Our neighbours XO Fine Jewellery are offering up to 15% back to the Women's Centre on purchases made in their store for the month of March. This will include repairs, appraisals, custom work and instore items.

For more details visit their website.
Shaw Birdies for Kids
Once again, we are lucky to be participating in Shaw Birdies for Kids presented by AltaLink as a charity partner. Each year, the Shaw Charity Classic crowns one golf champion and over 200 charity winners. If you can, donate to our girls’ programs before August 15 and have your donation matched up to 50%.

Click here to visit the donations page. Please share widely. We appreciate your support!
Personal Care Items Drive
Our Get Assistance program provides personal care items to women every month. In recognition of International Women's Day, we are highlighting this program throughout the month of March and asking for support from the community to drop off personal care items at the Centre.

We have the highest demand for:
  • menstrual products (pads & tampons)
  • shampoo and conditioner
  • body wash
  • lotion
  • children's diapers (particularly size 5 & 6)

If you would like to drop off new, unopened items to support women you can do so at the Centre (39, 4th St. NE) on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays from 9:30 AM - 6:00 PM and Wednesdays 9:30 AM - 8:30 PM.

Alternatively, you can make a monetary donation online here.

Thank you for your support!
Safety in the Outdoors
Join us Tuesday, March 2, 6:00 – 7:30 PM (ONLINE) for a workshop on safety in the outdoors, led by an experienced hiking instructor. This workshop will explore these tips:

• Staying warm in the winter
• How to safely enjoy the wild, including in urban wild areas
• Accessible outdoor spots

This workshop is open to women-identifying individuals only and will be held via Zoom. To register email RSVP@womenscentrecalgary.org, visit our website, or call 403-264-1155.
Reconciliation Training Part 1
On Wednesday, March 17 from 6:00 - 8:00 P.M. we will host a training session for attendees to learn about Reconciliation in a safe learning environment.

The training will include topics like:

  • What is Reconciliation?
  • Why Reconciliation is important?
  • History of Indigenous peoples
  • Residential schools and their legacy
  • Intergenerational trauma
  • Brief intro on how to be an ally & resources
  • How the Women’s Centre is working towards Reconciliation

Please register to save your spot, these trainings fill quickly. Visit our website for details.
Allyship & Decolonization, Reconciliation Training Part 2
On Wednesday, March 24 from 6:00 - 8:00 P.M. we will host the second part of our Reconciliation Training.

Understanding Allyship & Decolonization focuses on decolonization and building stronger allies.

Learn about:
  • Stereotypes and myths Indigenous peoples face
  • Systemic racism
  • How colonization affected Indigenous women
  • Treaties and the Indian Act from Indigenous perspectives.

We will also be covering allyship, and the steps needed in order to build strong allies to the Indigenous community.

Please register to save your spot, these trainings fill quickly. Visit our website for details.
Artists in Residence Celebration
Join us on Tuesday, March 23 from 6:00 - 7:30 P.M. to celebrate the work of the Women’s Centre 2020 Artists in Residence through a Living Library and visual gallery!

This event will be held online via Zoom and is open to women-identifying individuals only. For more information, or to register, please email RSVP@womenscentrecalgary.org or visit our website.

For information about the AiR program and artists click here. 
Girls Programs Online for Spring Break
The Spring Break Program for girls in Grade 5-9 will be held online from March 29 to April 1. Girl Power (grades 5-6) will be held online from 1:00 - 3:00 P.M. and Girl Force 4:00 - 6:00 P.M. The girls will learn about and participate in activism projects on girl-chosen topics. These camps are open to girls who are currently enrolled in our Girls Programs.

Registrations open on March 15, 2021, please contact era@womenscentrecalgary.org for more details.
MARCH WORKSHOPS
March Workshops
For a full list of upcoming workshops and to register, view our calendar here. All of our workshops are held online.
These are conversation groups for women to practice English for daily life. These programs are free virtual drop-in programs for any English level and no testing is involved. Please register at the above links to access the weekly classes. 
We invite you to join this weekly yoga class hosted by the Women’s Centre virtually. Perfect for all abilities. Participate in self-care. Focus on slowly moving into basic yoga postures while using your breath, which enables you to be present and mindful. You will leave the class with increased vitality and a fostered connection to yourself.
Learn about what constitutes violence against women, systemic forces that make some women more at risk of experiencing violence, and the ways we can address violence and offer help to women who are experiencing it.
Learn about the history of the Women’s Centre, the Peer Model, and why we do what we do. This workshop is required for anyone to volunteer at the Women’s Centre and will be held online via Zoom.
This workshop is open to anyone interested in improving their facilitation skills. Learn how to plan your own workshop and gain effective facilitation tools and techniques for creating an engaging workshop for participants.
Join us monthly to learn about the practice of Qi Gong meditation using breathing, visualization, simple body movements and sound to help balance energy. This gentle moving meditation is a grounding practice that promotes focus, calmness and peace of mind. 
We will discuss what trauma–informed practice looks like and explore tools for supporting women who are experiencing crisis. We will discuss how to better understand women and girls from a non-judgmental place and examine the connections between Trauma Informed Practice and the Women’s Centre’s Community Capacity Building Peer Model.

Join us to learn about the art of beading in Indigenous cultures. In these online workshops, we will begin making beaded keychain wristlets while connecting with one another, sharing and learning about Indigenous cultures.

Join us for one or both workshops. Supply kits are available for pick up – please email RSVP@womenscentrecalgary.org.

A list of suggested supplies you might already have at home are listed on our website.

Join us for an online cooking workshop! Learn step by step how to create fresh salad rolls!

A list of ingredients is available on our website. To pick up a pre-made supply kit from the Women’s Centre please email, or call 403.264.1155. Deadline to request supply kit: FRIDAY MARCH 5, 2021.

Join us for “Important Skills and Useful Tips for Job Interviews” on Saturday March 20, 1-2pm. This employment workshop will support women with employment and learning important skills for interviews.
Women's Centre of Calgary www.womenscentrecalgary.org