December News & Updates

Women's homelessness in Cambridge remains largely hidden but comes with complexities and heightened experiences of gender-based violence. Cambridge is a known 'service desert' when it comes to supports for women experiencing homelessness and gender-based violence, but we can change that.

For the 16 Days of Action Against Gender-Based Violence join us and our partners, Porchlight Counselling and Addiction Services; Shelter Movers Southwestern Ontario; and long-time advocate, Marjorie Knight, to learn more about this issue, our effort to bring more supports to Cambridge, and how you can help impact change. This is a virtual event that is free to attend.

This December 6, please join us for a candlelight vigil to honour the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women. All are welcome to join us at our community program space, The W, 20 Dickson St Unit 101, Cambridge. RSVP is not required; however, there is a Facebook event set up if you'd like to RSVP and help spread the visibility of this event. This space is wheelchair accessible.

Earlier this month, we released a brand new research report called Women's Homelessness in Cambridge: Knowledge Sharing and Interventions.

This research engaged more than 30 organizations and individuals including elected representatives from all levels of government.

The report tells the story of Cambridge as a service desert for women experiencing homelessness. There are no shelter beds and no services for women who are homeless in Cambridge.

We hope this report spurs action and change and that, in the very near future, we see much-needed investments in responding to the crisis of women's homelessness in Cambridge.

We joined our colleagues from YWCAs across province in applauding two major investments in women, gender-diverse people and families across Ontario earlier this month: Ontario signing on to the National Action Plan to End Gender-Based Violence and Ontario's investment in improving child care wages.

SHYFT Returns With FREE Programs in 2024!

Through art-based projects, SHYFT takes us on a participant-led journey where we can express who we are, what we love and what we would like to see in our worlds! SHYFT is all about getting creative and exploring in a safer space with each program as unique as the participants in them! SHYFT is open to cis and trans girls, gender-diverse and Two-Spirit youth ages 7-10 (on Wednesdays) and ages 11-14 (on Thursdays). 

Intake Open for Winter Small Steps to Success Program

Small Steps to Success registration is now open for the January program.

This free pre-employment and life skills program for women helps participants to gain new skills, set and achieve new employment goals and make connections with other women in a supportive learning environment!

Participants will re-enter the workforce with confidence having received support with job searching, resume writing and mock interviews.

Congratulations, Small Steps Fall 2023 Grads!

The Small Steps to Success Fall 2023 cohort has just graduated 3 participants. Together, these women started as strangers and found belonging and a sisterhood in our pre-employment and life skills program. Small Steps may have brought them together, but they created a support system within themselves, re-learned the power within and some new skills along the way.

Congratulations, grads!

Yesterday was the National Day of Action for Early Learning and child care, an advocacy day that engages child care workers, families and advocates from coast to coast to coast and calls for access to affordable, high quality child care for everyone who needs it, where they need it.

YWCA child care families got in on the fun of advocating for a better child care system by writing their own messages on paper hand cutouts that will be mailed to Prime Minister Trudeau.

We have also joined Child Care Now by signing their open letter calling for tangible actions that will build the child care system people in Canada deserve. Join us!

Some of our littlest advocates in action!

For a nonprofit like us, we wish that when we had a need, the solutions just appeared before us, but that rarely happens.

That is, until recently when our Woodland Park child care centre needed repainting and WOW 1 Day Painting just happened to reach out to say they were looking to offer their support by providing a FREE painting project!

Thank you to the WOW 1 Day Painting team for painting our whole centre and making it look shiny and new! And to boot, these community champions thanked US with a lovely card and cookies when they finished their work!

It's community-minded businesses like this that make the world of difference to nonprofits. Thank you!

As we approach the end of 2023, we reflect on the incredible impact YWCA Cambridge has had in the lives of girls, women, and gender-diverse individuals.

This year has been a testament to the resilience and strength in our community,

and none of it would have been possible without the unwavering support of generous individuals like you.

As a valued member of our community of supporters, you understand the vital role YWCA Cambridge plays in creating a more inclusive and empowered future for all. We invite you to harness the transformative power of end-of-year giving to ensure our momentum carries us into 2024 and beyond.

Here are three key reasons why your support at this crucial time is pivotal:

1. Sustaining Free, Community-Based Programs:

Throughout the year, YWCA Cambridge has been dedicated to providing free programs that empower and uplift girls, women, and gender-diverse individuals. Your end-of-year donation will help us sustain these vital programs, ensuring that they continue to make a positive impact on the lives of those who need them most.

2. Empowering Futures:

Your support isn't just a donation; it's an investment in the future. By contributing at the end of the year, you help us lay the groundwork for a brighter and more equitable tomorrow. Together, we can empower individuals to overcome challenges, break down barriers, and reach their full potential.

3. Celebrating 75 Years of Impact:

YWCA Cambridge is marking 75 years of dedicated service to the Cambridge community. To celebrate this milestone and continue our legacy of positive change, we've launched the "$75 for 75" campaign. Our goal is to encourage supporters like you to contribute $75 in honor of each remarkable year. Your donation will not only help us reach our financial target but also symbolizes your commitment to the ongoing success of our mission.

To make your donation and support YWCA Cambridge's mission, click here or visit our website at www.ywcacambridge.ca.

Thank you for being a beacon of hope and change in our community. Together, let's make 2024 a year of empowerment and inclusivity.

To become a program sponsor or to learn more about our partnership opportunities please email: n.ballantyne@ywcacambridge.ca 

Celebrate 75 years with us by learning more about YWCA Cambridge in the video below!