As 2016 ends and we begin planning our goals and objectives for 2017, it’s important to take a moment and reflect on the year that’s ending. While some have dubbed 2016 a trash fire year, there are some important events and achievements to celebrate. In 2016, at YW Calgary we started our year welcoming the Honourable Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Minister of Veteran Affairs and MP for Calgary-Centre Kent Hehr, Alberta Premier Rachel Notley and MP for Calgary-Skyview, Darshan Kang. During their visit, we highlighted the need for affordable housing that has been a consistent theme in Calgary and financial support for women and families who are struggling. The elected officials toured YW Mary Dover Transitional Housing and YW Winter Emergency Response program and learned more about how these programs support vulnerable women who are facing homelessness, poverty or domestic abuse.
On March 8th, we celebrated International Women’s Day and took stock of our progress towards gender equality along with providing a few considerations to help achieve our vision of women thriving in a safe and equitable community. Later in March, we responded to the results of the second annual Alberta Men’s Attitudes about Violence against Women Survey. The survey indicated that gender equity scores have increased in Calgary and provincially since the previous survey in 2012. There was also an overwhelmingly positive response from men with 97 per cent indicating that violence and abuse against women is a concern to them. While there remains a lot of work to be done, it’s positive to see change for the better among our community’s perceptions and understandings of violence against women.
As a community and as a country, we need to ensure women have personal security in their homes and communities and can participate in all aspects of life. A significant aspect of personal security means taking bigger steps, having louder voices and providing more education to stop the ever prevalent sexual and domestic abuse and violence perpetrated against women. We need to examine our justice system to create a structure that protects the victims coming forward and recognizes that there is no standard response during or after sexual assault.
The release of the federal budget posed promising improvements regarding homelessness and housing, which were the topics of several conversations with elected officials in 2016. Additionally, the federal government committed to the most significant investment in housing and homelessness Canada has seen in nearly 25 years. This coupled with additional funds for the construction and renovation of shelters and transitional houses for victims of family violence came at a time when Calgary and Alberta are facing the highest rates of domestic violence since 2004.
2016 also featured the release of our groundbreaking and pivotal Practice Framework. A framework that unifies our focus, articulates our stance on violence against women, women’s poverty and women’s homelessness. The framework was embraced by YW staff and each area of the organization completed a Practice Framework Part II document that aligned our beliefs and principles with each team’s everyday objectives. The Practice Framework impacts how we position ourselves now and into the future while using evidence-based good practices that enable us to serve more effectively and more wholly.
Throughout 2016, we experienced overwhelmingly positive responses to our signature events with two events exceeding their fundraising goals. The commitment of Calgarians to YW, especially during economic hardship, is inspiring and humbling. The 6th annual YWhisper Fundraising Gala featured ‘patient zero’ for cyberbullying, Monica Lewinsky, who delivered a powerful speech and message on clicking with compassion. Ms. Lewinsky touched on how common it is for us to view stories of humiliation which feed into our culture of humiliation and encouraged attendees to help end this blood sport. Our 11th annual Walk A Mile event also surpassed its goal and despite less than favourable weather conditions, over 200 participants came ready to walk and support vulnerable women in Calgary. Our Celebrate event had a great turnout from the community and connected incredible women and men in the community in honour of International Women’s Day! Keep A Roof Over Their Heads participants learned about the barriers women experiencing homelessness face, followed by spending the night on a cot in our former gymnasium which is also where our winter shelter is located. The event was very successful and participants left with a new perspective and understanding of women’s homelessness.
Finally, we capped 2016 off with the launch of a new, refreshed personality and brand that defines who we are now as a catalyst. Our new brand positions us as warriors and advocates and demonstrates our work to intervene, empower and lead when and where women need us most. Our latest evolution is women-centred, brighter-future focused illustrates our work to provide services that support women to gain control of their lives, become economically secure and live free of violence. We are not constrained by rules and we will not be silent on issues affecting women’s equity. We are loud, bold and unwavering in our support of women while remaining compassionate and forthright in all we do.
While no one can predict the challenges and opportunities we will face in 2017, we know that we are ready, focused and committed to advocating for women and their families while working to create brighter communities in our city. As we say goodbye to 2016, we are ready to embrace 2017 with open hands ready to work.
Happy New Year.
