Step up to end family violence

2014-07-07T14:36:11-06:00July 7th, 2014|Our View|

Help women and their children walk away from family violence – sign up for YWCA WALK A MILE IN HER SHOES® today! Registration is now open for YWCA WALK A MILE IN HER SHOES®, an awareness and fundraising event that asks men to strap on a pair of heels and walk two laps around Olympic [...]

Stampede: A breeding ground for sexism?

2014-07-04T12:43:41-06:00July 4th, 2014|Our View|

As the Stampede kicks off, the Calgary Herald reports young women are again flocking to the city to work the many temporary service sector jobs created by bars and night clubs during these 10 days. “They all want to meet a rich guy from Calgary now so the hot girls come because there’s all these [...]

YWCA Blog: Client Success Story

2014-07-02T08:07:17-06:00July 2nd, 2014|Our View|

Growing up, I had all the luxuries in life. My family and I travelled around the country, lived in big houses and went to the best schools and colleges. After completing my master’s degree I started teaching in a distinguished private school in my city. I loved everything about my life as it contained comfort, [...]

YWCA Blog: Multicultural programming

2014-06-27T13:26:42-06:00June 27th, 2014|Our View|

Last January PLC staff and practicum students built this amazing Chinese New Year dragon for their winter celebration event. Today is Canadian Multiculturalism Day, a day designated by the Government of Canada as a celebration of Canada’s multicultural groups. YWCA Parent Link Corridor (PLC) offers multicultural programming to welcome new families to Canada. [...]

YWCA Blog: One year flood anniversary

2014-06-20T04:05:26-06:00June 20th, 2014|Our View|

Today marks one year since the June floods submerged Calgary and left many of its residents scrambling to find a safe and dry place to sleep. During the crisis, YWCA clients were evacuated and several programs at the downtown location were temporarily closed. In the weeks after the flood, the YWCA was forced to make [...]

VIDEO: YWCA group counselling

2014-06-09T12:51:16-06:00June 9th, 2014|Our View|

YWCA Adult Clinical Services is a healthy relationship program open to anyone. The program is primarily a group counselling program, built to help clients better deal with family violence with peers experiencing similar circumstances. Group counselling can help people who want to see improvements in their own approach to relationships, or who are struggling with [...]

From receptionist to CEO of BOWEN

2014-06-04T09:08:51-06:00June 4th, 2014|Our View|

Guest blog post from YWCA board member Shannon Bowen-Smed, President & CEO of BOWEN. This is an excerpt of her acceptance speech for the Alberta Women Entrepreneur’s 2014 Celebration of Achievement award, given on May 14, 2014. Shannon Bowen-Smed shares her journey from a receptionist to CEO of BOWEN, and the importance of giving back [...]

YWCA Blog: Triple P Positive Parenting Program

2014-05-26T12:58:59-06:00May 26th, 2014|Our View|

The Triple P – Positive Parenting Program is designed to prevent – as well as treat – behavioural and emotional problems in children and teenagers. Since 2009, YWCA Parent Link Corridor has been providing free parenting seminars, groups and one-on-one parenting counselling at the YWCA downtown location and at partner sites around the city. We [...]

5 reasons to volunteer with the YWCA of Calgary

2014-05-20T08:51:15-06:00May 20th, 2014|Our View|

Volunteers are the lifeblood of any non-profit organization, and the YWCA of Calgary is no exception. We would not be able to keep our doors open to vulnerable women without our dedicated and committed volunteers. We asked our volunteers why they give their time to the YWCA: 1. “To play bingo with the children, hold [...]

YWCA BLOG: Client Success Story

2014-05-13T07:55:31-06:00May 13th, 2014|Our View|

Angela was a client of YWCA Mary Dover House transitional housing multiple times from 2004-2012. She suffered many traumas in childhood and managed her pain through the use of drugs and alcohol. Many of her stays at YWCA Mary Dover House transitional housing ended in evictions, but she was always able to return, receive support, [...]