December News & Updates

December | Issue 1.0

A Message from Kim Decker

Greetings Kim,

It is such a pleasure to have this opportunity to connect with all of you - members of the YWCA Cambridge community.

I hope that this newsletter gives you a glimpse into our work over the last few months and into the lives of the incredible cis and trans women and girls, non-binary and two-spirit individuals we have had the honour of working with.

Every year, without fail, I am in awe of the dedication, creativity and innovation of our staff, the commitment and wisdom of our Board of Directors and the generosity of our donors and funders.

I want to express my heartfelt thanks for all that you have done, individually and collectively, to ensure that our work remains in the forefront and we can continue to be a catalyst for change.

Festive Futures 2022 reaches 17 Women!

Festive Futures filled wish lists for 17 single women this holiday season. Wish lists included items like: pajamas, slippers and socks, as well as grocery gift cards and cozy holiday treats.

Thank you for giving the gift of joy this holiday, and for letting these women know they're not alone.

The kids are not ok.

But your donation can help.

The kids are not ok. This holiday season, give the gift that supports cis and trans girls, non-binary and Two Spirit youth.

Learn More

Youth Program Update

STEM Mini Conference is a Success!

The first STEM Mini-Con since the onset of the pandemic was a success!

We welcomed Toyota and Vidyard to the event with one activity run by our very own facilitator, Shannon, who stepped in and facilitated a genetics activity, extracting DNA from bananas - wild!

Youth participants enjoyed all of the activities, especially Toyota's, as they outdid themselves with hosting a series of five activities the youth loved engaging in!

Window Display for Week Without Violence

Staff and youth participants created a special social media campaign and window display at The W which highlights the partnership project between YWCA Canada and Women and Gender Equality Canada (WAGE).

YWCA Cambridge was one of many YWCAs across the country that had the opportunity to be a part of this youth-focused project. As part of the Government of Canada’s, It’s Time: Canada’s Strategy to Prevent and Address Gender-Based Violence, It’s Not Just is a national youth campaign to raise awareness of, and help put an end to, gender-based violence (GBV), teach youth and young adults how GBV works and where they can go to learn more and get help.

Child Care Update

Woodland Child Care Centre is Open!

Woodland Park Child Care opened September 6 , 2022 and has been thriving ever since. We have made great partnerships with WRDSB and the community. Woodland Park has been described as ”happy,” “warm” and “loving,” everything that we strive for, and would hope for our centre to be.

It was heartwarming to hear from one child care family member, “You are a special team of people that make his days so much fun!”

With our Reggio Emilia approach, we encourage and support our children and

families with exploration, experiments and investigations basing it on their

interests. From there, the learning really takes place and incredible projects happen.

Every day is a new adventure at Woodland. We are navigating many hurdles (as any centre would!) but we are grateful to be open, up and running and supporting our families in this community.

Upcoming Event

Dec 6 poster. Roses and candles in background. Dec 6, 6pm-7pm at The W, 20 Dickson Street.

Join us at The W, 20 Dickson St., Cambridge, for a candlelit vigil to honour December 6, the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women. All are welcome.

Space and washrooms are physically accessible. No cost to attend.

There's no need to RSVP, but if you'd like to, there's a Facebook event HERE.

Recent Blogs

Blue background with title of article in white.

On November 24, the YWCA Ontario coalition sent a letter to Minister of Education, Stephen Lecce and Premier Doug Ford, calling on the province to address the crisis in child care and to revert to the original Canada-Ontario child care agreement.

Adults are often left out of annual giving programs which tend to prioritize ensuring children are able to participate in the joy of unwrapping gifts around the holidays.

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