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Greetings Kim,
We're in the midst of 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence. This year's theme, set by the federal government, is come together, act now, and I think it's apt. We're at a time now when gender-based and intimate partner violence are both steadily increasing, but concurrently, so, too, is the movement to end these forms of gendered violence gaining momentum.
It's often said that the most dangerous place for a woman to be is her own home, because so many cases of gendered violence and femicides are perpetrated by women's romantic partners. What we're increasingly learning is that violence happens everywhere. Women who find themselves experiencing homelessness find themselves confronting unimaginable violence, including physical and sexual. We know this to be true in Waterloo Region, where, almost daily, more women are finding themselves at risk of or falling into homelessness. We're hearing from our friends at the Sexual Assault Support Centre (SASC) that requests for their support are increasing along with rates of women's homelessness.
It can feel like an impossible challenge to overcome - addressing and preventing homelessness and gender-based violence, in a system with so many cracks in it. But I want to return to the word "together" in this year's 16 Days slogan. Because I do believe that together, we can confront these complex challenges. We can all use our voices to call for the province to pass Bill 173: Intimate Partner Violence Epidemic Act to pave the way for policy action on ending and preventing gendered violence. We can voice our support for adequate funding for organizations like ours, working to prevent GBV among youth and respond to women's homelessness, or like SASC or Women's Crisis Services, who also do prevention work as well as work to respond to violence after it's happened.
No one person can solve all complex challenges facing our communities, but we can all add our voices in support of necessary, positive change. That's the hope that keeps me going, and I thank you for being a part of this work with us.
Warmly,
Kim Decker
CEO, YWCA Cambridge
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Join us: December 6 Candlelit Vigil | | |
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35 years have passed since the mass shooting at Ecole Polytechnique on December 6, 1989, which took the lives of 14 women.
Join us this December 6 at 6 P.M. as we remember and reflect on the events and mark this National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women.
All are welcome to join us at our community space, The W, 20 Dickson St Unit 101 Cambridge.
RSVP is not required. There is a Facebook event page set up for more information.
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Update on Our Work to Open Cambridge's First Women's Emergency Homeless Shelter | | | |
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As things often go when working with older buildings, we've come upon some surprises in the renovations of the lower level of Grace Bible Church where our temporary emergency women's shelter will be located. However, we're fortunate to have the full support of the Region of Waterloo, and an incredible architecture and contracting team who are doing everything they can to help us make our target of being open and operational before January.
In other great news, inspired by Greentec's generosity in joining YWCA Cambridge as a matching partner on our end of year fundraising campaign to outfit and furnish the shelter, Soroptimist International of Cambridge has come forward to add another $10,000 to Greentec's $5,000, making the total matching amount $15,000! Right now, every dollar you donate is matched by these wonderful supporters of our work.
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Update on the Point In Time Count | |
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The latest Point In Time count which took place on October 22 and 23 reveals that 2,371 people experiencing homelessness in Waterloo Region—more than double the number in 2021. This sharp increase reflects a growing national crisis that demands immediate action.
Homelessness is a complex but solvable problem, one decades in the making. It requires urgent collaboration across all levels of government to:
- Realize the human right to housing for everyone
- Tackle affordability of rents and protect renters
- Invest in deeply affordable housing options, including supportive housing, purpose-built rental housing
- Drastically raise social assistance rates
- Expand access to mental health and addiction services
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YWCA Cambridge Wins National Housing Day Award | | |
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On November 22, members of our team attended the Region of Waterloo's National Housing Day event at the Ken Seiling Waterloo Region Museum. The jam-packed schedule featured an inspiring presentation by Dr. Laura Pin on current issues related to homelessness, as well as a panel event with direct service workers discussing the challenges and wins they're seeing in their work.
The day also included newcomer landlord and housing awards. YWCA Cambridge was fortunate to win the Lynn Macaulay Outstanding Housing Educator Award for our work raising awareness of women's homelessness in the Region of Waterloo and Cambridge, specifically. We're grateful for the recognition and for the community and partners who make it possible for us to do this knowledge-building work!
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Through Festive Futures, you can provide a season of support and cheer for women! | | |
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Festive Futures is Back!
As the holidays approach, we’re excited to invite you to make a difference through our Festive Future Program. This initiative is dedicated to providing a season of support and cheer for the women who have taken part in our YWCA Cambridge Small Steps to Success pre-employment and life skills Program. These women are remarkable—but they are women often not eligible for other typical holiday support programs. This year, we’re ensuring they feel seen, valued, and supported.
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Through Festive Future, we’ve crafted a simple yet impactful way for you to make a meaningful difference. While the rising costs of living are impacting us all, it's being keenly felt by women accessing our programming. That's why, this year, we’re focusing on meeting real, immediate needs—grocery expenses, transportation, and essentials. Gift cards for grocery stores, transportation, or retailers like Walmart, will allow these women the flexibility to choose the items they need most.
Your generosity will directly support these women as they navigate the holiday season, allowing them to celebrate and enjoy the season with peace of mind. Together, we can make this season brighter for women who often give so much yet rarely receive the extra support they deserve.
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Ground Has Been Broken at the Site of Our Future New Child Care Centre! | | |
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While it may not look like much is happening in this photo, it's a BIG update! Ground has been broken at the site of our future child care centre which is slated to open in South Galt in 2026. This new centre will be our largest one yet, boasting 88 new spaces from infant to preschool age groups for families needing child care in Cambridge.
In order to meet the demand for child care spaces, more centres like this one will need to open. We're proud to be a part of the expansion of an accessible, affordable, nonprofit-led child care system.
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Family Night at Woodland Park Child Care Centre | |
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As part of our child care centres' commitment to continuous improvement, we've been hosting family nights for families to come into our centres, meet the staff, see where their child is learning and growing, and to connect with each other.
We recently hosted one of these events at our Woodland Park child care centre and have a great evening! Families got to see what projects children are working on and were also treated to pancakes and baked goods made by the children!
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The W: Youth and Women's Program Updates | | |
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SHYFT returns with FREE programs on Wednesdays from 5:30-7pm beginning January 13, 2025!
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 8-10 on Wednesdays at The W (20 Dickson St, Unit 101). Check in with The W on Facebook or Instagram to learn more about SHYFT programs happening in neighbourhood community centres in Cambridge.
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Small Steps to Success: Congrats, New Grads! | | |
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A HUGE congratulations to the fall Small Steps to Success participants who graduate this December! This group of 5 participants worked through workshops, tested their skills in mock interviews and successfully completed 3-week placements. We wish you all the best on your journey!
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.
For more information, visit our website or contact Terra at 226-929-2698 and Gail at 226-929-6302
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In Community: Play: Beyonsea and the Mothers | |
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About the Play:
A young girl named Beyonsea is sent to North America to join the mother she only knows through phone calls, barrels, and remittances.
Simone, Beyonsea's mother, is a busy immigrant working two jobs.
Michael, their neighbour, who fled a Jamaican community, befriends Beyonsea and eventually introduces her to his alt persona, Melody Knowles.
Beyonsea and the Mothers tells the story of three Jamaicans who are brought together by circumstance in a place meant to give them second chances.
Audience Advisory: This play discusses Jamaican culture, queerness, blackness, being an immigrant, and features strained family relationships. Recommended for Ages 12+ years.
Playwright & Director: Teneile Warren
Running Time: 80 minutes with NO INTERMISSION.
Original artwork by Alana Decker
Show Dates: January 29 - February 9
Where: The Conrad Centre for the Performing Arts
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