YWCA Toronto - The Feminist Edge - December 2023 Issue

"Each time a woman stands up for herself, without knowing it possibly, without claiming it, she stands up for all women."

~ Maya Angelou

LEADERSHIP MESSAGE

Dear YWCA Toronto Community,

We close 2023, the same way the year began – with hope.

The last year has presented troubling times. From soaring food prices, to a housing and shelter crisis, to a growing epidemic of gender-based violence and wars around the globe, YWCA Toronto has seen first hand the devastating impacts of a difficult year on our communities and mobilized to help. Our responses to these crises have been rooted in hope and our commitment “to a radical transformation of society where all women, girls and gender diverse people can thrive.” Despite adversity, we persevered and collectively achieved many noteworthy outcomes, of which we should be proud.

Notably, 2023 marked the 150^th anniversary of YWCA Toronto. On February 22, we proudly celebrated 150 years of positive change in our community with the proclamation of #YWCATorontoDay by the City of Toronto. From a small group of local women who came together out of concern for the safety of young, single women in their community to the city’s largest multi-service women’s organization, we have worked tenaciously to break down barriers that hold women back from achieving equity and safety.

Our incredible community also came together on Thursday, June 8^thfor the 42^nd YWCA Toronto Women of Distinction Awards Gala. Each year I am amazed by the incredible generosity of our community. Thank you to our many donors and sponsors who helped raise over $600,000 for our vital programs. Your generosity continued with a record $55,000 raised on Giving Tuesday – truly remarkable.

Read Heather’s full message.

ADVOCACY CORNER

Open Letter to End Gender-Based Violence

On December 6^th, the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women, YWCA Toronto led an open letter signed by 100+ gender-based violence advocacy and service delivery organizations calling for the province to declare Intimate Partner Violence an epidemic. The letter was part of our 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence which saw momentous support including coverage in the Globe & Mail and a petition that sent more than 1,300 letters to Premier Ford calling for a provincial declaration.

Together, we can end gender-based violence.

Read the open letter here.

PROGRAM UPDATE

We Help Individuals Find Safety

YWCA Toronto has proudly managed the December 6^th Fund since 2007 – originally developed in 1990 by the December 6 Coalition to raise awareness about violence against women. Today, the fund provides interest-free loans which helps cis and trans women, Two Spirit People and gender diverse individuals fleeing abusive situations acquire the items necessary to make the transition from abusive homes to living independently in greater safety.

As of November 30^th, a total of 51 loans were issued to women and their families fleeing violence.

Learn more about this vital fund here.

PHILANTHROPY HIGHLIGHT

Ways to Give

This holiday season, give a gift that can create lasting positive change in the lives of women, girls and gender diverse people through YWCA Toronto’s ways to give programs:

Tribute Giving allows you to honour your family and loved ones with a donation in their name to YWCA Toronto, in lieu of a holiday gift. Your gift will support those who need a little extra help this holiday season.

An Adopt-A-Family donation helps provide families with gift cards to use at their discretion for warm clothing, gifts for their children and more.

Learn more about Tribute Giving and Adopt-A-Family.

Photo | Courtesy of Luke's Place

COMMUNITY RESOURCES

Culleton, Kuzyk, Warmerdam (CKW) Inquest Advocacy Toolkit

16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence has wrapped up but our advocacy continues on 365 days of the year! For that reason, we are sharing the CKW Inquest Advocacy Toolkit in order to continue supporting steps to end gender-based violence in your community.

Access the toolkit here.

Photo | Courtesy of Daily Bread Food Bank

Fund the Benefit!

Rising food insecurity and cost of living means income supports for Canadians living with disabilities are needed now more than ever. The Canadian Disability Benefit is currently being developed and you can add your voice to the calls for a full funded benefit.

Send a letter to your MP here!

Edgy

YWCA Toronto in the Media

This month, Sami Pritchard, Interim Director of Advocacy spoke with CityNews Toronto and the Globe and Mail to amplify the call of our open letter signed by 100+ organizations urging the Ontario government to declare Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) and Gender-Based Violence (GBV) an epidemic.

Watch Sami’s interview with Faiza Amin on CityNews Toronto here.

Read more about the intent of the letter in the Globe and Mail article here.

Removing Barriers and Unleashing Potential

Earlier this month, we published a blog reflecting on the invaluable contributions immigrant women continue to make in Canada. The blog also offers suggestions on how to create more supportive and equitable transitions for newcomer women on their often-difficult career path.

We also shared details about our employment and settlement programs, which are rooted in our commitment to helping newcomer women find work and get settled in their new home.

Read the blog post here.

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 webs ite.

87 Elm Street, Toronto M5G 0A8 | 416.961.8100 | ywcatoronto.org

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