"I was taught that you must stand up in the face of injustice, no matter who it affects. It’s not just about standing up for yourself, for your friends and family. You have a bigger duty than that to the country and to the world." ~ Cindy Blackstock
|
|
|
LEADERSHIP MESSAGE
Dear friends,
This has been a most difficult month. The remains of at least 215 Indigenous children were found on the grounds of a residential school in Tk'emlups te Secwepemc First Nation. Mass graves continue to be unearthed at various residential schools. In total, 130 residential schools existed in Canada and more than 150,000 Indigenous children were placed in them. Many children were ripped from their mothers in the genocidal project to “kill the Indian in the child.”
This month, we have also dealt with the tragic deaths of four Muslim family members. We issued a statement that underscores the role of white supremacy in this hate-driven act of anti-Muslim violence.
While we mourn at YWCA Toronto, we also want to mark June as a month of resistance and celebration. We honour the teachings and knowledge shared by 2SLGBTQ+ community members and Indigenous Nations who have stood up against many centuries of injustice as we celebrate both Pride and Indigenous History Month.
Internally, we are marking this month through a queer trivia lunch and learn and a separate screening of queer content from around the world. We opened our Church Street program through a traditional welcoming ceremony with all of our partners, including Native Women’s Resource Centre of Toronto. Our general staff meeting also included strong Indigenous content and a presentation about Two-Spirit identity. To close out the month, we are screening a documentary short by Cree filmmaker Theola Ross, who is connected to our YWCA Toronto community.
It is my hope you will find time this month to connect with Indigenous and queer family members and friends, and reflect on the interconnectedness of our many struggles.
Warmly,
Jasmine Ramze Rezaee
Director of Advocacy and Communications, YWCA Toronto
|
|
Photo | Courtesy of Defend Disability |
|
YWCA Toronto is a member of the Defend Disability coalition with fellow community organizers, including people with lived experience. In recent weeks, we have raised concerns about Bill 276, which just received royal assent in the legislature. This bill seeks to “modernize” the process of accessing Ontario Works and the Ontario Disability Support Program – important streams of social assistance in Ontario.
Defend Disability is concerned that the modernization plan contains a number of policy gaps that could put social assistance recipients at risk. You can read our points in this policy brief, which was shared with the Government, opposition parties, and the media.
Please raise your voices to help amplify our work: ODSP and OW recipients deserve better!
|
|
|
|
|
Arshmanie Ramkissoon has joined YWCA Toronto’s senior leadership team as the Director of Property Services and Asset Management. Arsh comes with terrific experience in the private sector with rental, industrial and office buildings as well as in the management of key staff.
We are excited to have her join our team – welcome Arsh!
|
|
|
|
|
Thank you to everyone who joined us on June 3rd and helped to make the 40th Women of Distinction Awards Gala a resounding success! Together with our sponsors, donors and attendees, we raised over $475,000 for YWCA Toronto’s transformative programs and services.
Please watch our Create Change video, which tells the story of YWCA Toronto’s range of programs for survivors of gender based violence.
|
|
|
|
|
Love is Love
Canada ranks high in the list of countries that welcome and celebrate 2SLGBTQ+ communities – from our largest cities to our smallest towns. However, it has not always been this way. The history of the 2SLGBTQ+ communities in our country is nuanced and varied, and sometimes heartbreaking. While 2SLGBTQ+ communities still face discrimination, we need to celebrate the history, strength and diversity of queer communities that have paved a path to this moment.
|
|
|
Photo | Courtesy of Women's Shelter Canada
|
|
What will it take to achieve a GBV-free Canada?
Check out this incredible roadmap for a comprehensive National Action Plan (NAP) against Gender-Based Violence (GBV) by our partners at Women’s Shelter Canada. We are ready to get this plan on the road!
The campaign is being launched tomorrow. Access all the information here.
|
|
|
Reflections on social justice from YWCA Toronto's Union President
New on our blog this month is a piece from YWCA Toronto CUPE Local 2189 Union President Qaiser Khan reflecting on the London, Ontario terror attack and the discovery of the 215 Indigenous children’s remains in Kamloops, BC.
It is an emotional, thought-provoking read – you can read it here.
|
|
Photo | Courtesy of the Toronto Star |
YWCA Toronto profile in the
Toronto Star
In the run-up to our 40th Women of Distinction Awards, the Toronto Star’s online business section published a feature we submitted, which highlighted all the ways YWCA Toronto has shown up for its employees during the pandemic. From allocating 20 additional paid sick days to expanding access to mental health services via insurance coverage, YWCA Toronto has walked the talk of its advocacy, even at great financial cost.
Click here to access the full article.
|
|
 |
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
