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“…we must learn how to practise reconciliation in our everyday lives— within ourselves and our families, and in our communities, governments, places of worship, schools, and workplaces.”
~ From the book, Final Report of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada, Volume One: Summary: Honouring the Truth, Reconciling for the Future
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LEADERSHIP MESSAGE
Dear YWCA Community,
September 30th is the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (NDTR), which also coincides with Orange Shirt Day. It recognizes the tragic legacy of residential schools, the missing children, the families left behind and the survivors of these institutions. During Truth and Reconciliation Week (September 25 – 30) the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation is hosting a series of free virtual lunch and learn sessions from 1:30p.m. to 2:20p.m. These daily sessions will feature topics including the history of residential schools, unconscious bias and debunking stereotypes, intergenerational impacts and ongoing systemic discrimination, Indigenous Peoples’ rights and the United Nation's declaration on the rights of Indigenous Peoples, as well as taking action towards reconciliation. Register here to learn from a range of speakers, ask questions and engage in further conversations.
This month, our YWCA Toronto blog will feature a post from Richel Davies, a Métis Person and a member of YWCA Toronto's Board of Directors. Stay tuned!
I hope you take this opportunity to engage in thoughtful reflection, commit to meaningful acts of reconciliation and wear orange on September 30th.
Best,
Sami Pritchard
Interim Director of Advocacy and Communications
YWCA Toronto
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Community March Against Gun Violence
As concern around gun violence increases, it is time to prioritize community safety and take action. Women, girls and gender diverse people often find themselves as victims and survivors of this violence.
On Saturday, September 23rd, you have the opportunity to show your support to end gun violence. Join YWCA Toronto at 2:00p.m. at Yonge and Bloor to march to Queen’s Park. We welcome all communities impacted by gun violence, and those that seek to support, to come together to mourn, march and advocate for greater support for survivors and for community safety.
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Employment and Training Graduates
On September 14th, we celebrated 28 graduates of our Let’s Start Up initiative, a collaborative program with the Lise Watier Foundation (LWF). The program is certified by Concordia University and graduates were honoured with certificates.
Thank you to LWF for your ongoing support and for helping us offer an innovative program which empowers women and gender diverse individuals to strive toward their dreams as entrepreneurs, in academia, or in other meaningful career pursuits.
Congratulations to our graduates!
To learn more about the program, visit our website.
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Nominations are open for the 43rd YWCA Toronto Women of Distinction Awards
Our community is full of amazing women who are opening doors and challenging the status quo.
Do you know a woman who is making a difference in the lives of women, girls and gender diverse people? We want to celebrate her!
Every year at our Women of Distinction Awards, YWCA Toronto honours remarkable women who have advanced gender equity across a range of areas such as advocacy, arts, business, education, entrepreneurship, health, philanthropy, social justice and more.
Nominate a woman who is driven to make the world a better place and learn more here.
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Photo | Courtesy of the Migrant Rights Network | |
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Support Status for All!
On September 17th, we joined the Migrant Rights Network for their Regularization Day of Action! Today, we are encouraging continued support for their Status For All campaign.
Use the Migrant Rights Network's online petition tool to send a letter to the federal government encouraging them to support inclusive permanent resident status for all 1.7 million migrants in Canada! Sign in support of Regularization here!
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Photo | Courtesy of FreeGrassy | |
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March for the Land
Join us at March For The Land, September 27th, at 12p.m. at Grange Park!
March with members of the five Northern Ontario First Nations Land Alliance as they resist mining encroachment on their land and support each other's sovereignty!
Learn more and RSVP here!
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Labour Day is More Than a Day Off
The tireless work of unions in Canada has led to many workers having a 40-hour work week, health benefits, paid time off, sick leave and safe working conditions. Countless newcomers move to Canada with a desire to improve the standard of living for themselves and their families by accessing better employment. Our JUMP Scarborough program helps women with employment and settlement in Canada. Read our blog post highlighting the history of Labour Day and short stories from program participants who chose YWCA Toronto as part of their settlement journey.
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Deputy Prime Minister Visits YWCA's Bergamot Early Learning Centre (ELC)
Earlier this month, the Honourable Chrystia Freeland, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, visited our ELC and met with child care staff about the critical need for families to have access to high-quality, accessible and affordable child care. We were very clear, we cannot operate child care systems without child care staff and we cannot retain and recruit staff without ensuring decent work and decent pay. We are committed to working with all levels of government to ensure all families have access to high-quality child care which is necessary for families to thrive.
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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. For a full land acknowledgment, please visit our website.
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