"Every day is another chance to practice living out
the values that matter most to us, to be our best selves,
to be the legacy we want to leave."
~ Mia Mingus
Photo | Martin Sanchez_unsplash
ADVOCACY CORNER
YWCA Toronto is urging the Province of Ontario to take bold action in support of women, girls and gender-diverse people!

Check out our pre-budget submission that contains important recommendations in support of gender and racial equality. Also, read our speech to Minister of Finance, Hon. Rod Phillips, given on October 15 calling on the Province to invest $100 million in women’s employment and training programs to support women workers affected by COVID-19. 

More than seven months into a health crisis that is expected to last many more months, we need swift action from the Province. During a time of economic downturn, we need greater investment to boost our economy and support gender equality. Austerity will not help. 

PROGRAM UDPATE
We are excited to share our newest free virtual employment program - Future-Ready - for women and gender-diverse people between the ages of 16-29. With two upcoming sessions, beginning October 19 and November 20 respectively, reach out today to register!

We are also happy to offer training to organizations that support young women between the ages of 16 to 29 years old!

PHILANTHROPY HIGHLIGHT
As part of their continuing efforts to support women’s health, Shoppers Drug Mart has designated their annual Growing Women’s Health Campaign towards raising funds exclusively for women’s shelters across Canada!

From October 3-31, local Shoppers Drug Mart locations across the country, will accept donations from customers with the goal of raising $3.3 million. Locally, 23 Toronto area Shoppers Drug Mart Associate-owners have designated YWCA Toronto as the recipient of this year’s campaign.  

Click here to see a list of the 23 local participating Shoppers Drug Marts where you can go to support our shelters!

Photo | Jerry Wang_unsplash

COMMUNITY RESOURCES
Our community partner, Carolyn Ferns of the Ontario Coalition for Better Child Care, wrote earlier this month about the possible impacts of the deregulation of child care. Read more and find ways to get involved in advocating for accessible, universal childcare!
Photo | Juan Rojas_unsplash
The Toronto Office of Recovery & Rebuild released its final report that contains comprehensive recommendations on how
the City can address the inequalities heightened by the pandemic -- and the possible way forward.  

On October 21, we urged the City of Toronto to prioritize an equitable recovery plan. Click here to read our presentation or here to watch the meeting recording.

Edgy
Photo | Jasmin Schreiber
Have you found yourself pulling out your knitting needles? Maybe you’ve been dusting off some paint brushes? Guest blogger, Hillary Di Menna, writes on the YWCA Toronto blog about the role of crafting in communities during #COVID19. 
Photo | Glenn-Carstens_unsplash
As we wait to see what the provincial budget has in store, why not take a minute to send your MP and MPP an email asking for a #JustRecovery? Just Recovery Ontario is asking for a five-step plan to address the inequities that have become ever more drastic during the pandemic. Find out more and take action.
LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
YWCA Toronto operates in communities that stand on the traditional territory of the Huron-Wendat and Petun First Nations, the Seneca, and most recently, the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation. The territory was the subject of the Dish With One Spoon Wampum Belt Covenant, an agreement between the Iroquois Confederacy and the Ojibwe and allied nations to share peacefully and care for the resources around the Great Lakes.

Today, the meeting place of Toronto is still the home to many Indigenous people and we are grateful to have the opportunity to work on this territory as we strive to build a more equitable and just city for all residents.