Community Knowledge Centre - Toronto Community Foundation

About this organization

Mission

YWCA Toronto is an association of diverse and caring women dedicated to improving the lives of women and girls through dynamic leadership, advocacy, and a range of unique and essential services that promote growth and economic independence.

History of Organization

YWCA Toronto has been operating for over 138 years.  Originally a boarding house that provided a safe environment from exploitative conditions for working women on low incomes, YWCA is now the city’s trusted multi-service women’s organization in Toronto. We provide women with housing options, employment preparedness, counselling and a full range of support programs.  At YWCA Toronto, we work towards constructive social change, especially regarding the issue of violence against women.  We focus on long term solutions, helping women and girls meet their goals of self-sufficiency and independence.   

Accolades and Accomplishments

YWCA Toronto exists to improve the lives of women and girls.  We offer over 35 programs covering a range of housing options, employment programs, family support services, and community support programs, as well as opportunities that foster girls’ leadership. In 2010, a total of over 16,000 women and their families in Toronto were served. 

These programs are coordinated to respond to a continuum of needs from crisis intervention to long-term assistance and support.  A woman may come to us at any point in her life with pressing issues and we can help her to make the next step, whether it is permanent housing or economic stability.

• In 2010, the YWCA’s two shelters helped 180 women and children find a way out of abusive relationships
• In 2010, 191 people received subsidies to go to Camp Tapawingo
• In 2010, 407 people lived in permanent housing offered by YWCA Toronto.  In all of our housing facilities, we also provide community support workers to help tenants problem solve and build healthy communities.
• In 2010, 624 girls participated in the YWCA Girls’ Centre program.
• Highlights in 2010 in our employment programs included: opening the YWCA Women’s Employment Centre with two locations in Scarborough, running an immensely successful pre-apprentice carpentry program and continuing out work with young, new immigrant women and girls to help them overcome barriers to employment and settle in their new country.  In 2010, 11,793 people used our employment services.
• In 2010, 929 people found help at the YWCA Family Centre and in our programs for children who have experienced trauma.
• The YWCA December 6 Fund offers interest-free loans to women fleeing abuse.  The loans of up to $750 are used to pay first and last month’s rent, pay arrears or assist with moving expenses.  In 2010, 91 loans helped 241 women and children flee violence.
• In 2010, YWCA Toronto was honoured to be asked to provide Life Skills Training to the staff of YWCA Agvvit Nunavut.  We customized the training to help the staff build problem-solving and coping skills, as well as facilitation and group leadership skills.

Programs

>Girls’ Centre
>YWCA Beatrice House
>YWCA Women’s Shelter

YWCA Toronto offers over 35 programs across the GTA through key program areas: 

• Girls’ & Family Programs:   Over 4,100 women and girls receive services ranging from parenting programs for adults and teen mothers, girls’ programs, summer camp, childcare, recreation, programs assisting families who have experienced violence, and leadership and skills development.

• Employment  & Skills Development:  nine programs help over 20,200 people each year to secure jobs, build careers, assess their skills and achieve economic sustainability.  We also provide programs that address the specific needs of women and youth with disabilities.

• Housing & Support:  YWCA Toronto helps women and their children create safe and sustainable homes, and provides trauma and crisis support, counselling and support for women experiencing violence or dealing with mental illness.  Seven locations provide affordable and transitional housing, emergency shelter, and programs to over 1,600 women and children each year.

Girls’ Centre

YWCA Toronto Girls’ Centre is by, for and about girls, and increases opportunities for girls, ages 8-18 years, to build on their existing strengths and contribute to their communities. We provide a variety of workshops, conferences, drop-in programs, and leadership training activities. Through our Girls’ Council, a youth engagement group, we research the needs of young girls and guide program development.

Funding and Program Partners

YWCAGirls’ Centre has been generously supported by the Canadian Counselling Foundation, the Canadian Women’s Foundation, and other donors since its inception in 2005.  

Program Impact

Since 2005, the YWCA Girls’ Centre has nurtured and enriched the lives of almost 3,000 girls across the GTA through numerous workshops, drop-in activities, creative outlets and leadership and community outreach opportunities.

Toronto's Vital Signs® indicator(s) addressed by Program

“Appointments of women to Agencies, Boards, Commissions and Corporations increased from 30 per cent in 2004, to 49 per cent in 2008. Visible minorities increased from 22 to 31 per cent.” (Toronto’s Vital Signs®, 2009)

Participant Vignette

“I am 14 years old and the second youngest member of the YWCA Girls’ Council.  The Girl’s Council has been a wonderful and engaging experience for all of our members both first generation and second. We attend many workshops and events, host our own, we get involved in our community and we share our thoughts and ideas about the girls’ programs and anything else we would like to talk about.  But along with everything that we’ve done and we’ve strived to do, we are always having loads of fun and excitement.

The Girls’ Council is basically like one big family; where we are given many opportunities to test our wings, share our thoughts and opinions and just be comfortable with everyone.

When I heard about what the Girls’ Council does, I was immediately drawn in by the opportunities to get involved in my community and actually do something right here, right now.  Many people have this mentality that you are not able to make a difference in the world until you are older, that you are not able to speak out and be heard until you are older.  I grew up with that mentality as well – but YWCA changed that.  It changed my perspective of the world and the people around me.  Being part of the Girls’ Council educated me about things you don’t learn in school.  You don’t learn about society’s good and bad sides, you don’t learn about just how deep gender inequality can run, you don’t learn about overcoming the challenges in a girl’s life.  That’s what being involved with YWCA and a part of the Girls’ Council taught me – social issues and life skills.” - Kim 

YWCA Beatrice House

YWCA Beatrice House is an early childhood development centre in a transitional residence centre where women and their children who are homeless or at risk of being homeless may stay for up to two years. It provides a unique opportunity for women-led families to plan for their future while their young children are learning in an excellent early childhood development program.  Beatrice House is located in a safe, secure site in a residential neighbourhood close to public transit.

Funding and Program Partners

YWCA Beatrice House receives core funding from the City of Toronto Hostel Services and the City of Toronto Children’s Services.  In addition, DRI Capital, The D. H. Gordon Foundation, The Caring Foundation, and other donors generously support the program on an annual basis.

Program Impact

In 2009, YWCA Beatrice House provided safe accommodation for 346 women and children and a nurturing early childhood development program for the children ages 0-6. 

Toronto's Vital Signs® indicator(s) addressed by Program

“One third of Toronto’s young children are living in poverty, and the number is growing: 32.3 per cent of children in Toronto were living below the low-income cut off (a 3 per cent increase over 5 years).  Sixty per cent of poor children in the GTA live in the city.” (Toronto’s Vital Signs®, 2009)

Participant Vignette

Homeless and hopeless, Kerry and her daughter, Nina, arrived at YWCA Beatrice House.  Here they found home and hope. Here they laid the foundation for a brighter future.

The first year of Nina’s life had been impacted by poverty and stress. But in the stable environment of the Early Childhood Development Centre, Nina flourished as she was stimulated and supported by a team of enthusiastic experts. “And I learned how to be a better parent,” her mother, Kerry explains.

During the two years that Kerry was at Beatrice House, she received trauma counselling, attended parenting courses, gained life skills, upgraded her education and found paid work.  By the time Kerry and Nina left Beatrice House their lives had been transformed.

YWCA Women’s Shelter

YWCA Women’s Shelter provides safe and secure emergency shelter for women and their children who are fleeing violence. The shelter is staffed 24 hours a day and houses up to 11 families each night with its 33 bed capacity. In addition to safe refuge, women and their children are provided with food, clothing and diapers. We assist them in obtaining safe and affordable housing, social assistance, medical, legal help, and other vital supports. We also provide referrals to community agencies which provide counselling and interpretation services.

Funding and Program Partners

YWCA Women’s Shelter receives core funding from the Ministry of Community and Social Services and the City of Toronto.  The shelter is also supported by numerous donors, individuals, and collaborations with many other service providers to ensure women have the help they need.

Program Impact

In 2009, YWCA Toronto provided emergency shelter and other supports to 105 women and children fleeing violence.    

Toronto's Vital Signs® indicator(s) addressed by Program

“In 2008, use of emergency shelters rose almost 30% in Toronto.” (Toronto’s Vital Signs®, 2009)

Participant Vignette

Twice Roxanna had left her abusive partner only to return because she couldn’t find a way to pay the rent and feed her three children. The third time Roxanna left, she and her children sought shelter at the Women’s Shelter, one of YWCA Toronto’s shelters for abused women and their children. 

With counselling and support, Roxanna and her children grew stronger. She was determined not to go back.  Roxanna was able to secure a part-time job and was ready to move on.

Roxanna explains, “The support and counselling I received from the shelter staff bolstered me and my resolve to start a new life for me and my children. When I needed financial support to rent a place, they referred me to the YWCA December 6 Fund.  It gave me the extra boost I needed to rent and furnish my apartment and get food for my family.”