Domestic abuse can affect any member of the family - parents, children, siblings and extended family or friends. For those experiencing abuse or violence, the impacts last for years – or even lifetimes. It can look like low self-esteem; a sense they don’t deserve or know what a healthy relationship is or causing harm [...]

December 6 is Canada’s National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women. On this day in 1989, 14 young women were murdered at l’Ecole Polytechnique in a targeted attack because they were women. Each year, YWCA's across Canada remember the women and re-commit to taking action on violence against women and [...]

The holidays are soon upon us and the spirit of giving is in the air. For many, it is time to cozy up by the fireside— but unfortunately, not everyone has that luxury. On any given night, more than 170 women and children sleep at YW Calgary because here they are safe. Like many [...]

This week, the YW team said a final good-bye with mixed emotions to YW's old building downtown. For nearly 50 years, the building located on 5th Avenue supported women and families in Calgary, initially as a hostel then transitional housing. Nearly 7 years ago, YW recognized a need for a new space that better [...]

What is Clare’s Law? In 2009, a woman from the United Kingdom named Clare Wood was killed by her intimate partner, who had a history of being a perpetrator of domestic violence. Following her death, Clare’s family advocated for the introduction of a policy whereby members of the public may request information on someone’s [...]

This fall’s budget promises to provide direction and clarity on what the provincial government is planning for the months and years to come. The McKinnon Report and the UCP platform have set out some clear priorities related to curbing the costs of healthcare, education, with a keen focus on promoting the economic competitiveness of [...]

“A person with Ubuntu is open and available to others, affirming of others, does not feel threatened that others are able and good, based from a proper self-assurance that comes from knowing that he or she belongs in a greater whole and is diminished when others are humiliated or diminished, when others are tortured [...]

In recognition of Calgary Pride, our community is gathering this week to celebrate the diversity of our city and create a space where everyone feels safe and welcome to be themselves. Transgender advocate and actress, Laverne Cox said, “I’ve never been interested in being invisible and erased”. When she talks about being ‘invisible’ and ‘erased’ [...]

I attended the YWCA’s Neighbour Day festivities on June 15th to get a sneak-a-peek tour of the new ‘YW Hub’ complete in construction and scheduled to officially open its doors September 1, 2019. Community and neighbourhood collaboration were focal points around the visioning, design and construction of the YW’s new, state-of-the-art building. Members of [...]

As I, and many others shuffled into the rehearsal studio in the Arts Commons, children, families and elders sat wide-eyed waiting for the event to begin. We had all gathered at the Arts Commons to celebrate Indigenous culture and heritage for their National Indigenous People’s Day Celebrations. The room reflected the diversity of Calgary’s [...]