On Bell Let’s Talk Day, we shatter the silencing effect of stigma and open up the dialogue about mental health. YWCA Toronto’s mental health programs for women were enriched last year with a community grant from Bell Canada, which helps us offer more programming for women at our Elm Centre who are coping with mental […]

A lot can happen when women lace up steel-toed boots. For Sheila Martinez, a graduate of YWCA Toronto’s Pre-Apprenticeship Carpentry program for women, entering the skilled trades has been a life-changer. As a single mom who has always loved to do her own plumbing, work outdoors and solve problems with her hands, carpentry was a […]

In 2015, the Bang & Olufsen Yorkville Run raised $115,000 to support YWCA Toronto shelters. YWCA Toronto board member Alice Longhurst reflects on her experience as a multi-year B&O Yorkville Run participant and a long-time supporter of YWCA Toronto.  On September 11, 2016, donors and supporters will be lacing up to run for YWCA Toronto at […]

By YWCA Toronto volunteer Geneviève François-Kermode Street harassment: if you’re a woman, you’re probably well aware of it. In fact, you’ve probably experienced it more times than you can count. I know I have. Everything from the usual “Hey, beautiful” to men whistling at me from their cars, to the latest incident: a man in his […]

by Nicole Preston When I signed up to volunteer at the YWCA Toronto International Boutique a little over a year ago, I hoped it would give me an opportunity to brush up on my retail selling skills while contributing to a good cause, as well as have a bit of fun. So far it has […]

Guest post by Jessie Guo Last week, I had the opportunity to participate in a tour and information session at the YWCA Toronto Girls’ Centre. I hadn’t known about the Girls’ Centre before the session, but I immediately understood the need for it. Every day the news is filled with stories about the pressures and […]

By Frances Cumberland & Tracy Chow, JUMP Etobicoke We work as Settlement and Employment Counsellors at the YWCA Toronto JUMP settlement support program in Etobicoke. Every day we work with newcomer women from all over the world who are permanent residents, convention refugees and live-in caregivers with work permits. Every woman who walks through our […]

Last week, YWCA Toronto and other Canadian women’s organizations sent a letter urging our federal government to support efforts to bring home Nigeria’s kidnapped school girls, and to develop a national strategy to address rampant violence against women in Canada and around the world. Read the letter below. May 29, 2014 Right Honourable Stephen Harper […]

Last week, we hosted the 34th annual YWCA Toronto Women of Distinction Awards (presented by Sun Life) to honour seven extraordinary women and raise essential funds for YWCA Toronto programs and services. In case you missed this remarkable event, check out our Storify recap of guests’ tweets and Instagrams throughout the evening. The ceremony was […]

Last night, YWCA Toronto hosted our 34th annual Women of Distinction Awards at the historic and elegant Carlu in downtown Toronto. The evening was a resounding success: inspiring women, charming host Anne-Marie Mediwake, a beautiful venue, delicious food, a silent auction, and fantastic live performances by Megan De Lima, graduate of The Honey Jam. None […]