We close 2023, the same way the year began – with hope.
The last year has presented troubling times. From soaring food prices, to a housing and shelter crisis, to a growing epidemic of gender-based violence and wars around the globe, YWCA Toronto has seen first hand the devastating impacts of a difficult year on our communities and mobilized to help. Our responses to these crises have been rooted in hope and our commitment “to a radical transformation of society where all women, girls and gender diverse people can thrive.” Despite adversity, we persevered and collectively achieved many noteworthy outcomes, of which we should be proud.
Notably, 2023 marked the 150th anniversary of YWCA Toronto. On February 22, we proudly celebrated 150 years of positive change in our community with the proclamation of #YWCATorontoDay by the City of Toronto. From a small group of local women who came together out of concern for the safety of young, single women in their community to the city’s largest multi-service women’s organization, we have worked tenaciously to break down barriers that hold women back from achieving equity and safety.
Our incredible community also came together on Thursday, June 8th for the 42nd YWCA Toronto Women of Distinction Awards Gala. Each year I am amazed by the incredible generosity of our community. Thank you to our many donors and sponsors who helped raise over $600,000 for our vital programs. Your generosity continued with a record $55,000 raised on Giving Tuesday – truly remarkable.
Understanding the immense importance of support services, we provided opportunities for our community to heal. Through our Inspirations Studio program, located at 389 Church Street, we provided arts education for women and gender diverse people who have experienced the impacts of poverty and housing instability. Breakthrough, Here to Help and Adventures in Sharing, also expressive art-based therapy programs, offered vital support for survivors and their families who have experienced violence in the home.
I am thrilled to share that we launched Employment and Training’s Building Sustainable Futures (BSF) Phase Three on November 9th with a virtual event and the release of a Toolkit and Compendium. Funded by the Government of Canada’s Adult Learning, Literacy and Essential Skills Program, Phase Three of the YWCA BSF Project helped advance the careers and essential skills of women and gender diverse people across Canada. Since the start of this initiative in 2019, ten YWCA Collaborator Associations, 850 program participants, and over 700 employers and community partners worked creatively to meet these goals.
Our advocacy team produced a digital election campaign, #ShowUpTO, calling on Mayoral candidates to show up for a better Toronto – show up to meet the needs of our diverse communities and address the affordability crisis, safety concerns and systemic inequities growing along racial, gender and neighbourhood lines. In partnership with WomanACT and Social Planning Toronto, this five-pillar plan was endorsed by more than 50 community organizations across the city. Alongside community partners, we also successfully urged Toronto City Council to declare Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) and Gender-Based Violence (GBV) an epidemic. Building off the momentum of this declaration, we have continued our efforts to see the province do the same.
In November, we launched our Home Free from Violence campaign which urged the Ontario Premier to declare Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) and Gender-Based Violence (GBV) an epidemic in Ontario, and support the sector. This collaborative initiative between Principles, an external firm, and the Philanthropy and Advocacy and Communications departments saw over one thousand petition signatures in just over a week. For greater brand awareness, TTC subway posters, a bus mural and several billboards were created and could be spotted across the city. On December 6, the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women, we published an open letter, signed by more than 100 service and advocacy organizations across the province, urging the Premier to make the declaration.
In 2023 our belief in racial justice went beyond the completion of our anti-racism audit and review of the key findings and recommendations drawn from consultations with our staff and Board. We hired an Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Senior Manager, Margaret Brimpong, who will help the Association advance greater equity, diversity and inclusion in our practises and policies. We are thrilled to have this new role within the Association.
We also hosted our first in-person Staff Engagement event since 2019, led by the Access and Equity committee. Nearly one hundred staff joined us for a wonderful evening of celebration and connection.
This year we officially launched the Hopeful Hair campaign – developed in collaboration with YWCA Metro Vancouver and Rethink, an independent creative agency – to show solidarity with the women-led revolution in Iran. If you have not already done so, I encourage you all to learn how you can take action and continue to protect the human rights and freedoms of women and girls in Iran at www.hopefulhair.com.
Lastly, I am delighted to share that we have been recognized, yet again, by Canada's Top 100 Employers as one of the GTA Top Employers for 2024. This honour acknowledges YWCA Toronto’s fierce commitment to creating a work environment that is safe and inclusive for our employees while offering training and community engagement opportunities for them to thrive.
Thank you to our donors, funders, collaborators, partners and staff. Our accomplishments are only possible because of you. Together, we will continue to make lasting positive change in our communities while advocating for peace, justice and freedom.
Wishing you and your family peace and joy this holiday season.
As ever,
Heather McGregor
Chief Executive Officer
YWCA Toronto