EMPOWERED TO SUCCEED

In September, while researching federal initiatives that support the integration of internationally trained healthcare professionals into the Canadian healthcare system, I discovered YWCA Toronto’s Health Connect program.

As soon as I contacted the program, I was provided exactly what I needed. The dedicated staff offered guidance and practical tools for navigating the licensing process for my dental equivalency exams as well financial support which covered exam fees and preparation costs. They also provided support to help me advance my communication skills, which are crucial for success in the Canadian healthcare landscape. This level of care empowered me to stay focused on my goals and move forward with a clear roadmap to success in Canada.

Health Connect, not only offers comprehensive services that include opportunities for skills development and financial assistance but they also provide effective interview preparation supports that help individuals, like me, secure employment while navigating the licensing process. Now, because of the support I received through Health Connect, I am a researcher through the University Health Networks at Toronto General Hospital.

I am hopeful that with continued assistance from Health Connect, I will complete my dental licensing exams and continue to grow in my healthcare career in Canada. Programs like YWCA Toronto’s Health Connect are a life-line for internationally trained healthcare providers who need help navigating the complex Canadian healthcare accreditation process.

TOOLS TO SECURE ECONOMIC SECURITY

INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE & ADVOCACY

In 2024, YWCA Toronto continued to lead urgent advocacy efforts to end gender-based violence (GBV) and intimate partner violence (IPV) through meaningful collaboration with anti-GBV advocates and organizations, survivors, community and government officials.

Throughout the year, we engaged with elected officials from all levels of government to discuss the epidemic of IPV and share recommendations to address it.

In April, we gathered with advocates, survivors, families and sector partners at Queens Park as the Government of Ontario carried Bill 173: Intimate Partner Violence Epidemic Act through a second reading and deferred it to the Justice Policy Committee. This was a monumental step closer to seeing the Province declare IPV an epidemic; however in July, as we witnessed the Bill’s progress slow down, we took to the media, sharing an op-ed in the Toronto Star, speaking on CBC’s The Current with Matt Galloway and joining other radio hosts to emphasize the need for immediate action.

Recognizing our leadership on this issue, we were invited to present recommendations to the Province's Justice Policy Subcommittee on IPV. Locally, we presented to the Toronto Police Service Board regarding the rising rates of IPV in Toronto and shared recommendations to ensure that survivors who do seek police support are met with responses that are not re-traumatizing, criminalizing, or harmful.

Our advocacy continued as we launched our #16Days of Action Against Gender-Based Violence campaign, raising awareness and sharing tools to combat GBV. On December 6, the 35th anniversary of the École Polytechnique Massacre, we published an open letter, endorsed by more than 150 anti-GBV organizations across the province, urging Ontario’s Legislature to prioritize and pass Bill 173 without further delay.

INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE ADVOCACY HIGHLIGHTS

• Made a submission to Ontario’s Minister of Finance urging an equitable, gender-responsive 2024 Budget.
  
• Joined a collective of Ontario-based anti-GBV organizations for a three-day event aimed at strategizing advocacy efforts to address the IPV epidemic.
  
• On June 28th, attended the ‘Because of You: Vigil to End Gender Based Violence’ in Barry’s Bay, Ontario to commemorate the second anniversary of the Culleton, Kuzyk and Warmerdam (CKW) inquest.
  
• Presented to YWCA Metro Vancouver’s IPV coalition, in July, providing valuable insight into the advocacy work being led to end IPV in Ontario.
  
• As members of the City of Toronto GBV/IPV Working Group, co-hosted a GBV sector consultation at YWCA Toronto, bringing together more than 70 organizations to discuss a municipal response to the declared epidemic of IPV/GBV.
• An event entitled Taking Action on Housing for Survivors of Gender-Based Violence, organized by the City of Toronto’s Housing Secretariat and the Housing Pathways for Women and Gender Diverse People working group, was hosted by YWCA Toronto.

STATISTICS

• Violence against women – particularly intimate partner violence and sexual violence – is a major public health problem and a violation of women's human rights. (World Health Organization)
  
• In 2024, 163 women, girls and children reportedly lost their lives to IPV and GBV in Toronto.
• Since 1990, the Ontario Association of Interval and Transition Housing has recorded over 1,080 femicides in Ontario.
• Indigenous women are killed at nearly seven times the rate of non-Indigenous women.

IN MY MOM ERA

After fleeing a violent relationship, I could not see a future where my daughter and I were able to heal from all of our trauma, but with the support of YWCA Toronto’s Women’s Shelter staff, our lives have changed immeasurably.

Just before my 22nd birthday, I fled to YWCA Toronto’s Women’s Shelter. As soon as my daughter and I met the staff, we felt safe and seen. We were given our own room with a bed and crib, linens, toiletries, laundry soap and a hygiene kit. Plus, we were provided with counselling support and access to their Mothers in Mind program, which offers support for mothers who have experienced violence. There, I met other moms going through a similar situation, and my daughter and I made new friends.

On top of this immediate support, staff at the Women’s Shelter helped me secure co-op housing for four years and make a plan to return to school for pre-college courses. They created such a supportive environment, the kind that allows for positive outcomes.

Because of YWCA Toronto’s Women’s Shelter, I am enjoying being a mom—I am in my mom era. I love to see my daughter, Nova, being a kid again – playing, laughing and being an inquisitive toddler. And I love that I have gained a supportive community through the shelter, who continue to help me focus on recovery.

PROVIDING A SUPPORTIVE COMMUNITY

Finding an apartment and a job, advancing education or simply doing daily errands can feel like an impossible task when someone is struggling with the persistent effects of trauma after fleeing violence. Amidst another year of staggering increases in cases of intimate partner violence, YWCA Toronto’s holistic array of supportive programs and services helped 934 participants take steps forward in their healing journey.

Our arts-as-therapy programs offer women and gender diverse people safe, accessible avenues to explore challenging emotions while they heal and grow. One standout initiative is The Warrior’s Journey, a project led through our Breakthrough program and funded by the Women and Gender Equality department of the Government of Canada that used expressive arts, peer support and meditation techniques to help participants heal from experiences of violence and trauma.

At the end of The Warrior’s Journey, staff collected participants’ art and inspirational words to create beautiful art cards that will be used to share wisdom and healing with other YWCA Toronto supportive programs for years to come.

Also included in our community of supportive programs were Here to Help and Adventures in Sharing, where parents and children were supported in processing experiences of domestic violence together and re-establishing familial bonds. At YWCA Toronto, we recognize that no single experience is the same as another and are proud to offer unique programming that provides survivors unconventional and expansive opportunities to move through their healing journeys.

DONOR SPOTLIGHTS: ENSURING LASTING CHANGE

Each year, YWCA Toronto’s Monarch Society donors are able to make a legacy gift to support the work of the Association and the issues that they care about most.

In 2024, we received a substantial gift of $100,000 from Cathy Riggall, a cherished and long-standing patron, Monarch Society member, volunteer and advocate for YWCA Toronto who sadly passed away in March. Cathy was equally generous with her time, serving as Board President and as an active member on numerous Board committees. Her final gift to YWCA Toronto was incredibly generous and made possible through her bequest of a life insurance policy.

IN MEMORIAM – JUDY IRELAND

Last year, we lost another important member of our YWCA Toronto community, Judy Ireland. Not only did Judy work with the Association for more than a decade—first as a compassionate teacher, empowering single mothers with job readiness skills and then creating change as a Social Action and Advocacy Coordinator—but she also remained involved with YWCA and feminist movements throughout the rest of her life. Judy was an amazing person and we hold so much gratitude for all of her contributions to our feminist movements.

Additionally, we would like to extend our sincere appreciation to each of Judy's friends and loved ones who made in memoriam donations to YWCA Toronto at her request. These donations will help us continue the kind of work Judy championed.

THE BARRETT FAMILY FOUNDATION

A summer at YWCA Toronto’s Camp Tapawingo is a transformative experience. Our outdoor, overnight camp located in Parry Sound provides opportunities for girls and gender diverse youth to thrive as they expand their skills, connect with nature and build meaningful friendships.

Thanks to the Barrett Family Foundation, more youth than ever will benefit from this experience.

Founded in 2013 by Bob Barrett, Francine Rouleau-Barrett and their daughters, Kim Barrett McKenna and Rebecca Barrett, the Barrett Family Foundation has pledged $1.5 million over five years to send more youth to Camp Tapawingo and help strengthen Tapawingo’s diversity, equity and inclusion work. Already, the Barretts’ gift has made a substantial impact, enabling us to provide campership subsidies to more youth than ever before in 2024.

Additionally, the Barrett Family Foundation’s generous gift will allow us to investigate winterizing Camp Tapawingo facilities, opening up a multitude of opportunities for cold weather programming and the creation of an offseason social enterprise initiative that will help sustain camp financially for years to come.

We are deeply grateful to the Barrett Family Foundation for recognizing just how powerful a camp experience can be and for investing in Camp Tapawingo’s continued growth. Their contribution means that girls and gender diverse youth will have more opportunities than ever to flourish at camp.

CREATING OPPORTUNITIES

We hold so much gratitude for those who supported YWCA Toronto in 2024. It was a challenging year for philanthropy teams across the nonprofit sector as organizations and donors alike felt the stress of difficult economic times. However, so many of you found creative ways to give and ensure that the women, girls and gender diverse people in our community found the support they needed when they needed it the most. For this, we are extremely thankful.

This year, many of you gave in a unique way by taking our “Which Barrier Breaker Are You?” quiz in November and December. Every quiz taken contributed $1 to our year end campaign. By participating, you also allowed us to highlight the achievements of incredible feminists and Women of Distinction alumnae, including Sherry Brydson, Amy Go, Roberta Jamieson and Jean Augustine. Together, alongside those who gave directly to the campaign, we raised just under $125,000 to help women, girls, and gender diverse people find safety, secure housing, and enhance their skills.

We were also heartened by the robust show of support at our 43rd Women of Distinction Awards on May 23. Over 600 members of YWCA Toronto’s community came out to celebrate four incredible women and raised more than $500,000 for our comprehensive programs and services. Thank you to every table and ticket purchaser, in-kind silent auction and raffle donor, and sponsor for making the evening a wonderful success.

The night would not have gone as smoothly without the efforts of our volunteers, and we are so grateful for their support. Between the Awards and other events and initiatives throughout 2024, 248 volunteers gave 3,742 hours to YWCA Toronto. Whether sorting in-kind donations, sharing their skills with participants, supporting special events, and serving on committees and on our Board of Directors, their efforts enriched our work and demonstrated an applaudable dedication to YWCA Toronto.

Our 2024 WOD recipients (from left to right) Natasha Ferguson, Gillian Riley, Jaspreet Gill and Nadia Ladak.

We would also like to honour the memories of those we lost this year and extend a sincere thank you to those who had the forethought and generosity to bequeath a planned gift to YWCA Toronto, either as a member of the Monarch Society or otherwise. We received a number of planned gifts this past year, and we are incredibly touched by the thoughtfulness and dedication it takes for someone to choose to give back to their community beyond their lifetime.

No matter how you supported YWCA Toronto in 2024, your commitment to ensuring women, girls, and gender diverse people had the support they needed to overcome challenges and thrive is inspiring, and we are better for it. We cannot thank you enough.

YWCA TORONTO'S BOARD OF DIRECTORS

YWCA Toronto’s Board of Directors is committed to creating change for women, girls and gender diverse people across Toronto. The Board ensures that our work is aligned with our vision and mission, stewards our financial resources, and provides leadership and oversight of our strategic plan and initiatives.

Our Board of Directors (from left to right): Darcie James-Maxwell, Lorrie King, Naba Saeed, Sobiga Kamalakaran, Catherine Milne, Sonia Sahdev. MISSING: Sarah Yaffe, Fatema Lotia, Lee-Anne Kovacs, Uchenwa Genus, Alexis Eun Young Choi, Richel Davies, Priyanka Debnath, Megan Fowler, Aniska Graver, Jennifer McGoey, Carrie Russell, Miraaj Yousif

OUR VALUES

INTERSECTIONAL FEMINISM
We support the strength of women, girls and gender diverse people, with boldness,
creativity and passion. We acknowledge the profound and differential impact of racism, oppression and colonialism across the diversity of our participant population and our staff teams. We work to promote a climate that is welcoming and responsive to all women and gender diverse people. We strive to provide participants and staff of all races, religions, classes, ages, sexual orientations, gender identities, abilities and immigration statuses with programs, services and work environments that are culturally responsive, culturally safe, equitable and accountable.

COMMUNITY VOICES
We center the voices and experiences of all participants in establishing our advocacy priorities and in developing and evaluating our programs.

SOCIAL JUSTICE
We work tenaciously to create meaningful social change and equity for women, girls and gender diverse people. We specifically call out and work towards eradicating anti-Black and anti-Indigenous racism. We acknowledge the Indigenous land on which the Association works, and we are committed to meaningful acts of reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples. 

COLLABORATION AND PARTNERSHIP
We seek opportunities to strengthen our capacity and the capacity of allied and sister service organizations, to expand service offerings for participants, and to strengthen advocacy, and movement building initiatives.

SERVICE EXCELLENCE
We hold ourselves accountable to deliver high-quality, trauma-informed services and provide programs that reflect the self-identified priorities of our communities.

SUSTAINABILITY
We work to ensure that the resources and strategies of the Association will allow us to evolve and thrive.

OUR STRATEGIC PRIORITIES

1.  Invest for Impact
2. Stand out, speak up
3. Strengthen our response
4. Expand programs to reduce poverty

OUR VISION
YWCA Toronto seeks a radical transformation of society where all women, girls and gender diverse people can thrive.

OUR MISSION
YWCA Toronto is a leader and collaborator in the provision of feminist, intersectional and transformative shelter and housing, employment and training, leadership, and advocacy for women, girls and gender diverse people.