Our View – The YW Blog
June 2016
WHYWHISPER Keynote Speaker: Monica Lewinsky
Yesterday we proudly announced that Monica Lewinsky is going to be the keynote speaker for our 6th annual WHYWHISPER Gala. The YWCA chose Monica Lewinsky as our keynote speaker because her advocacy and social activism[...]
May 2016
Supporting the Family Connection
As the largest and longest serving women’s organization in Calgary, the YWCA strives to create safe spaces to have difficult conversations; advocates to advance issues that impact women’s equity; and provides programs and services that[...]
Calgary saw violence against women rise in 2015
Approximately every six days, a woman in Canada is killed by her intimate partner. As a public, we understand this action is domestic violence, but the actual nature of this crime should be known as[...]
Fort McMurray: The best way we can help
Within hours of the fire entering Fort McMurray, Albertans were mobilizing to garner funds, goods and resources for those that were affected. While the level of support confirms the resiliency of our province in trying[...]
Fundraiser gives participants firsthand experience of women’s homelessness
With the tragic situation in Fort McMurray forcing nearly 90,000 out of their homes to potentially never return, the concept of homelessness is perhaps more widely felt than ever for Albertans. On Thursday, May 5,[...]
April 2016
Healing journeys: Starting over-peace at last (poem)
In this special edition of our healing journeys series, we have a poem written by a YWCA Mary Dover House transitional housing client, in its original state: Starting Over - Peace At Last name blacked[...]
Celebrating the 100 years of (some) womens’ suffrage in Alberta
Today marks the 100th anniversary of some womens’ right to vote in Alberta — nearly a decade after the YWCA of Calgary was established. In the early days of the YWCA, the lack legal status[...]
Volunteers bring ideas and energy
The way organizations approach staffing has shifted over the past several years and as a result the YWCA has begun to implement a new staffing model. The concept represents a significant change for non-profits and[...]
Healing Journeys: The World Goes On (poem)
80 plus women in this house Getting here of different ways Arriving here on different days Some arrive a timid shaken little mouse A few come in battle form Others still a crazy storm [...]
March 2016
Healing Journeys: Dominos
Sitting in my favorite coffee place at the crack of dawn I slowly settle to still. Before the hustle and bustle of the day I allow myself to take a moment and breathe in gratitude.[...]
Ghomeshi verdict not the end of the story
The verdict is back in Canada's most watched sexual-assault trial. Jian Ghomeshi, the disgraced radio host, was found not guilty on four counts of sexual assault and and one count of overcoming resistance by choking.[...]
Federal Budget promises meaningful progress
The 2016 Federal Budget, released on Tuesday, promises meaningful progress on issues related to poverty, homelessness and domestic abuse. Such issues, which were notably highlighted by the YWCA of Calgary in a February meeting with[...]
What Calgary Men Think about Violence against Women in 2016
The local results of the 2nd Alberta Men’s Attitudes about Violence against Women Survey were released on Monday in a joint media conference hosted by Alberta Council of Women’s Shelters (ACWS) and the YWCA. With[...]
February 2016
International Women’s Day
March 8th is International Women’s Day, the day we honour the contributions women have made to our communities, and the day we take stock of our progress towards gender equality. When women thrive, our communities thrive.[...]
Trudeau, Notley Tour the YWCA
The YWCA of Calgary welcomed Rt. Hon. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Minister of Veterans Affairs and MP for Calgary-Centre Kent Hehr, Alberta Premier Rachel Notley, and MP for Calgary-Skyview, Darshan Kang this week highlighting the[...]
January 2016
Ensuring best practice in supervised visitation
YWCA of Calgary’s Visitation Services provides an opportunity for children to have conflict-free visits with their non-custodial parent in a safe and comfortable setting. The program assisted 66 parents and 42 children in Calgary in 2014. The[...]