“For there is always light, if only we’re brave enough to see it. If only we’re brave enough to be it.” ~ Amanda Gorman
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LEADERSHIP MESSAGE
Dear friends,
Welcome to the new year! 2022 brings new hopes – and with it new challenges.
Sadly, the Omicron variant has spread quickly in our communities, including across our shelter, child care, and housing programs. We are taking every effort to keep community members safe, but we are facing some difficult challenges at a time of reduced staff capacity.
Women and gender diverse individuals continue to bear the brunt of pandemic-related impacts, whether due to job losses or additional caregiving responsibilities at home. We are so proud to be able to offer additional pandemic days and a front-line staff top up to our employees – and we are counting on greater supports and funding from all orders of government.
2022 is a year of change, marked by two upcoming elections. I am hopeful that together, and with your continued engagement, we can do right by our communities and be part of the radical transformation needed to see women thrive in our city.
Sincerely,
Heather McGregor
Chief Executive Officer
YWCA Toronto
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New year, a new budget(s)!
This year’s City Budget launched on January 13 th, 2022, and has been deemed another “pandemic budget.” The City budget affects child care, affordable housing, social services, and more.
YWCA Toronto is calling for deeper investments in services that support our communities. We will be sharing our views on the budget on Wednesday, January 25 th. You are encouraged to do the same! To register to depute, please email the Budget Committee at buc@toronto.ca or call 416-392-4666.
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A return to online services
Much like other non-profits, we rounded out the end of 2021 with a hopeful plan to reopen a number of our programs in mid-January, which had in-person services temporarily on hold.
However, we had to re-evaluate those plans rather quickly given the rise of the Omicron variant. To ensure the safety and well-being of our community members and staff, our employment, settlement, language, and skills training programs are tentatively scheduled to reopen pre-booked, in-person services beginning March 1, 2022.
In the interim, we will continue offering online services by connecting with community members over the phone, via email or on Zoom.
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AN EVENING OF CELEBRATION,
INSPIRATION AND HOPE
Join us for the 41st YWCA Toronto Women of Distinction Awards Gala to celebrate the
achievements of eight remarkable women! Be inspired by our recipients' commitment to social justice and help raise vital funds for our programs.
Purchase a ticket, table or consider donating today! Your participation will help provide valuable services that support women, girls and gender diverse people fleeing violence, securing housing, and finding jobs.
For information contact: Faith Feingold, Manager of Events, Corporate & Community Partnerships, at ffeingold@ywcatoronto.org.
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Photo | Courtesy of WomanACT |
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New Housing Options for Survivors
When fleeing violence, women need safe, stable housing and strong support services. A new research report from WomanACT explores housing options for survivors of intimate partner violence. The report highlights relevant learnings and policy recommendations.
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The Feminist City Series
The School of Cities and Institute for Gender and the Economy (GATE) is holding its third installment of the Feminist City series – an insightful discussion about how women’s participation in the economy affects the vibrancy and livability of our cities and Canada’s path towards a feminist equitable recovery.
Join our Director of Advocacy & Communications, Jasmine Ramze Rezaee, and other notable speakers, Manager of Policy and Research at FCM, Brittany Andrew-Amofah, and Registered Psychologist, Dr. Suzanne Stewart, for this important panel session on February 8th, 2022.
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Photo | Courtesy of Canva
Will Ontarians finally get a fair child care plan?
Carolyn Ferns, Public Policy and Government Relations Coordinator at the Ontario Coalition For Better Child Care (OCBCC) raises concerns about the provincial government’s troubling inaction on child care. It is critical that our province signs the federal child care plan to build a flexible, affordable, non-profit-led system that works for parents and child care workers. As a board member of OCBCC, YWCA Toronto is proud to support advocacy efforts like this.
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Photo | Courtesy of Globe and Mail |
Shelter Staff Shortage Amidst Rise in #GBV
Our Director of Advocacy & Communications, Jasmine Ramze Rezaee shares her thoughts about the demand for supportive shelters as COVID deepens pandemic-era strain and gender-based violence cases continue to soar.
It is critical to provide housing solutions that will protect survivors from further harm and trauma, while supporting our frontline staff.
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LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
YWCA Toronto operates on the traditional territory of the Huron-Wendat and Petun First Nations, the Seneca, and the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation. We are grateful to work on this territory as we strive to build a more equitable and just city for women, girls, and gender diverse people.
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