February News & Updates

Nominations for the Women of Distinction awards are now open!

Know someone breaking barriers and inspiring change? Nominate them for a Woman of Distinction award. Let's honour the women shaping our community!

Hurry, nominations close on March 31, 2024!

Join us for this presentation of the Cambridge-specific results of Waterloo Region’s 2023 Vital Signs® Report published by Waterloo Region Community Foundation and presented by Steven Ayers, Founder and CEO, Common Good Strategies and the lead author and researcher of the report.

This will be a snapshot of our affordable housing situation followed by a community panel discussion and questions.

Over the last number of months, YWCA Cambridge has been hard at work pushing for the establishment of a women's emergency shelter in Cambridge, where there is currently nowhere for a woman experiencing homelessness to go.

As our work on this front gains more attention, we've received more and more requests for information on where we are at in this process and how individuals can support our work.

Read an update on our work to date on our blog and learn how you can support this work.

It's budget season! We joined YWCAs from across the province to outline our vision for a gender-responsive 2024 budget. In our pre-budget submission, we've recommended the province:

1. Invest in the Canada-Ontario Child Care Plan
2. Ensure decent work conditions for women workers - and all workers
3. Address the Housing Crisis
4. Establish a Home in Government for the Nonprofit Sector
5. Enhance Social Assistance Rates
6. Invest in employment, training and upskilling for women workers
7. Dedicate funding for girls' programming
8. Meaningfully address gender-based violence 

Get Ready for the next Accelerator Program

Learn how you could receive up to $2000 for post-secondary education! The Canada Learning Bond (CLB) is money that the Government of Canada adds to a Registered Education Saving Plan (RESP) to help pay for post-secondary learning. Parents, caregivers and youth ages 18+ can apply!

YWCA Cambridge staff can help you:

- Determine eligibility

- Apply for an RESP and the CLB

- Pay for any identification needed

You will receive a gift card for your feedback on the process! Sign yp on our website or reach out to Sara if you have any questions. She can be reached at s.hohenadel@ywcacambridge.ca.

Youth Project Space

Drop-In

This free drop-in is open to youth of all genders aged 13-18. This program is all about connecting with each other and the community. The program is youth-led, meaning that those involved in the program will help to guide activities, art and DIY projects or outings within the community! 

For more information please contact Bree at bree@sanguen.com or Shannon at s.thoms@ywcacambridge.ca or click here to be added to our mailing list!

Youth Financial Literacy Workshop Series

Want to learn more about how to manage your money? Curious about what a budget is and how to make one? Join us for a free financial literacy workshop! 

Date: Feb 20 and Feb 27

Time: 2:30 - 4:30 p.m. (workshop starts at 3:00pm) 

Address: 20 Dickson St., Cambridge Scan the QR code and fill in the form to register!

Food and gift cards provided!

Rhythm & Blues Cambridge Black History Month Event at The W

Thank you to Rhythm & Blues Cambridge, artist A. Decker, TEAO Canada and everyone who came out to support Art From the Heart last weekend. It was a day full of art, community, movement and celebration! This event is just one of four incredible events being organized by R&B Cambridge in celebration of Black History Month. Be sure to check out their website for event details and registration links.

Exiting news! Registration for YWCA Cambridge Summer Camp at Shade’s Mills and Indoor Camp at Wesley United is now open!

Don’t miss out on securing a spot for your camper in an unforgettable summer adventure. We are so thrilled to be able to offer two different types of camps this year at two separate locations.

This year, we are using a new platform to run our registrations and payments that will make the process of registering and making payments much smoother.

Come join us and let’s make memories and embrace all that the summer has to offer with unique programming for your children that will allow them to learn new skills and explore in ways that they have never done before!

Being a monthly donor to YWCA Cambridge allows you to make a sustainable impact, empower girls, women and gender diverse folks, and contribute to transforming our community. Your consistent support ensures that YWCA Cambridge can continue our crucial work of advancing positive change and fostering a community where everyone has the chance to thrive.

Sustainable Impact: By becoming a monthly donor to YWCA Cambridge, you contribute to the sustainability of our critical programs and services. The consistent flow of monthly

donations allows YWCA Cambridge to plan and execute long-term initiatives that address the diverse needs of the community. This sustained support ensures that individuals and families facing challenges have access to a continuum of care and resources throughout the year, fostering lasting positive change.

Empowering Girls, Women and Gender divers folks: YWCA Cambridge is committed to empowering women and girls, providing them with the tools and resources they need to thrive. Your monthly donation plays a crucial role in supporting programs such as youth programming, employment services, and violence prevention. By contributing regularly, you become an integral part of the effort to break down barriers and create opportunities for women and families to build better futures, fostering a community where everyone can reach their full potential.

Community Transformation: YWCA Cambridge is dedicated to creating positive and lasting change within the community. Monthly donors play a pivotal role in this transformation by providing a steady source of funding for initiatives that address pressing social issues, including homelessness, gender-based violence, and inequality. Your commitment as a monthly donor ensures that YWCA Cambridge can adapt and respond to emerging needs, driving meaningful change at both an individual and community level. Through your ongoing support, you become an agent of positive transformation, contributing to a community where everyone can live with dignity, safety, and opportunity.

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