"I am not free while any woman is unfree, even when her shackles are very different from my own." ~ Audre Lorde
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LEADERSHIP MESSAGE
Dear friends,
Today is Election Day. I hope you have made a plan to vote!
I love elections because they are alive with possibility and the power of a collective voice. What direction will this country take? Who will Canadians decide to trust with the wellbeing of our communities as we recover from COVID-19? I relish the chance to cast my ballot and make what I feel is the best choice possible.
Every election campaign is an opportunity for politicians to really listen to the electorate. And so it affords us the same opportunity to step up and talk about the issues near and dear to us, the ones that impact our lives every day.
With the #YourVoiceMatters campaign, we have amplified issues that touch each corner of YWCA Toronto’s work: child care, housing, income security, and women’s safety. It is not too late to sign our petition and share it with loved ones!
And remember, in an election and always, your voice matters. See you at the ballot box.
Sincerely,
Heather M. McGregor
Chief Executive Officer
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On September 7th we launched our #YourVoiceMatters election campaign complete with an online petition, social media toolkit, voting guide, and policy priorities brief. We also hosted an All Candidates Townhall on September 14th so that staff and supporters could hear directly from local candidates on gender equity issues. Thank you for signing and sharing our petition!
Regardless of the election results, we will continue to advocate for gender equity and racial justice – and draw attention to the issues that affect our community members. We hope you will do the same.
The election today just so happens to be on the first day of Gender Equality Week, which you can find out more about here.
Let’s keep the conversation going!
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Photo | Courtesy of Sharon McCutcheon
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Over the last eighteen months, we have seen a significant rise in gender-based violence. YWCA Toronto understands the impact of this rise and is committed to providing programs to support families.
Here to Help is a free virtual program that begins the healing journey of children four to 18 years old and mothers who have experienced domestic violence. We support the healing process by providing a safe place for children and mothers to learn that they are not alone and that they are not at fault for abuse. The program also provides resources for parents on how to support their children’s emotional healing.
For more information or to register, please contact Maria Palma, Program Coordinator at 416.266.1232 x220 or [email protected].
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In a joint effort, YWCA Toronto’s Philanthropy and Advocacy & Communications departments organized a “Decent Work for All” campaign to urge the provincial government to address precarious employment in Ontario. The pandemic exposed the inadequacy of working conditions, particularly in feminized industries – the time for action is now!
Please consider donating now to help YWCA Toronto provide for immediate needs and rebuild for the future.
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Photo | Courtesy of ODSP Action Coalition
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Our community partners are planning a rally at Queen’s Park on September 28th, 2021 that we hope you can support! The ODSP Action Coalition and the Ontario Disability Coalition will rally at the legislature starting at noon to demand an immediate rate increase and draw attention to the many barriers that limit ODSP clients’ ability to participate in the labour market.
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Photo | Courtesy of Child Care Now
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The Ontario Coalition for Better Child Care (OCBCC), together with Child Care Now and provincial coalitions across the country, organized a National Day of Action for Universal Child Care on September 14 th to encourage child care advocates to vote and take action for early learning and child care in their communities.
As part of the campaign, Child Care Now hosted a bilingual on-line forum about what is at stake in this federal election when it comes to child care and highlighted the need for all candidates to prioritize affordable, quality, accessible, and inclusive child care.
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Photo | Courtesy of Now Magazine
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In a recent Now Magazine op-ed, our Director of Advocacy & Communications, Jasmine Ramze Rezaee, shares her thoughts on the need to prioritize the concerns of women in this federal election campaign.
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Photo | Courtesy of the Globe And Mail |
Our Manager of Advocacy, Sarah Boesveld, contributed to a Globe and Mail article highlighting the need for an affordable, high-quality child care system that will boost both children’s development and the economy.
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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.
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