"THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS A SINGLE-ISSUE STRUGGLE BECAUSE WE DO NOT
LIVE SINGLE-ISSUE LIVES. ” 
~ AUDRE LORDE
LETTER FROM OUR CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
With less than 12 days until the 2019 Federal Election. I could not think of a more important time to launch our newsletter,  The Feminist Edge .
Each month, in this space, you will find our take on pressing issues that impact girls, women and gender-diverse communities and learn about some of the fantastic work happening in our programs. It is with great enthusiasm I welcome you to our edgy community!

At YWCA Toronto we work tenaciously to break down barriers that prevent women from achieving equity and justice. In this issue, you can learn about how to get involved with our federal election campaign, read our report uncovering the hidden impacts of gun violence, and find out more about our Painter-Decorator program. We hope you find value in reading our newsletter – please encourage your friends and family to subscribe.  

Warmly, 
ADVOCACY CORNER
2019 Federal Election
With the election just days away, please take a moment to sign our petition urging federal parties to create and fund a National Action Plan addressing gender-based violence and to allocate at least 50% of the Canada Housing Benefit towards women and women-led households. Take Action!

PROGRAM UPDATE
Our Painter-Decorator program is highly successful thanks to our strong partnership with the Finishing Trades Institute, and the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades. This year, 16 women entered and finished the program obtaining Level 1 Certification. Twelve women were employed before the program ended and the remaining redirected their career or returned to school for further training. There has never been a better time to create opportunities for women in the skilled trades! Learn more.

PHILANTHROPY
HIGHLIGHT
ScotiaBank Run
We are just over one week away from #TOwaterfront42k on Sunday October 20 th . It is not too late to register to run, walk or roll in support of YWCA Toronto! 

To register or for more information, click  here  or sponsor the #YWCATO staff team – the Sheros – with a donation today.

COMMUNITY RESOURCE
Today, we are proud to release a YWCA Toronto report on gun violence and the impacts on mothers and families in the GTA. Gun violence has been a constant topic in the news over the last several months but the impacts on Black women and girls are often forgotten and ignored.

Edgy
INSTAGRAM
Are you on Instagram? We are too! Follow us @YWCAToronto to stay in touch! And feel free to tag us in any pictures you take at our events. See you on the ‘gram!
BLOG
Our blog got a makeover!
Check out the new look AND
new content. Look out for more posts from YWCA Toronto staff, supporters and participants. If you’re interested in contributing
to our blog reach out to  lpragg@ywcatoronto.org. 
LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
 YWCA Toronto operates in communities that stand on the traditional territory of the Huron-Wendat and Petun First Nations, the Seneca, and most recently, the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation. The territory was the subject of the Dish With One Spoon Wampum Belt Covenant, an agreement between the Iroquois Confederacy and the Ojibwe and allied nations to share peacefully and care for the resources around the Great Lakes.

Today, the meeting place of Toronto is still the home to many Indigenous people and we are grateful to have the opportunity to work on this territory as we strive to build a more eq uitable and just city for all residents.