Leading Change

YW Calgary is committed to supporting women’s economic prosperity in our city. We want to make Calgary a place where women succeed economically and can prosper – to empower women so that she has what she needs to make the choices she wants.

When women are financially empowered, they are better equipped to exercise control over their lives, improve financial security for themselves and their families, and participate more equitably in the workforce.

Our Women’s Economic Prosperity programs provide women with the tools, knowledge and support to overcome economic disadvantages.

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Program Offerings

Navigating Entrepreneurship

YW Calgary offers support to women entrepreneurs, whether new or already established, by providing tailored coaching, business plan training, and mentoring. The program is completely free and will help you develop the necessary skills to successfully launch, manage, and expand your business idea.

Are you looking for a business coach to get you to that next step on your business journey? The START + SCALE program offers a flexible 10-week business training for women entrepreneurs ready to start or grow their businesses.

Accepted small businesses will attend a free, intensive ten-week program including interactive lessons provided by trained business coaches, with one-to-one learning provided weekly with an assigned business coach. Upon program completion, graduates will have a professionally developed business plan ready to take to financial institutions.

Activities Include:
• Learn about the business tools and strategies to run and grow a business
• Develop your business’ unique value proposition
• Receive training and support on how to write a Business Plan
• Receive training and support around creating Marketing and Financial plans

Workshops focus on the following training with the outcome of a business plan:
• Business Model Canvas
• Market Research
• Marketing Strategy
• Sales and promoting your business
• Business Operations
• Digital strategies and adoptions
• Financials includes pricing, forecasting, cashflow
• Developing your business pitch.

Participants must be:

  • Self-identifying women* who are looking to develop skills.
  • Canadian citizen or Permanent Resident
  • Able to commit with ten weeks of online and in-person workshops.
*This program is open to non-binary or gender diverse people. We warmly welcome members of the BIPOC, 2SLGBTQIA+ and Disabled communities. If you have accessibility needs, please contact us to discuss accommodation.

Looking to start a side hustle or grow your existing one? Join us for an exciting 4-part series where we will dive into all things side hustle. From tips on finding your niche to setting up a shop, this series has got you covered. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to take your side hustle to the next level. Register now!

This event will be held every Wednesday from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm, starting on May 7, 2025.

Idea Exploration Pre-Launch The Money Part Setting Up Shop
April 21, 2025 April 28, 2025 May 5, 2025 May 12, 2025

Questions? Reach Barbara Guzman at bguzman@ywcalgary.ca

Vision to Venture – Business Model Canvas Workshop

Are you an entrepreneur with a passion for innovation? Join us for an exciting, hands-on 1-hour in-person session designed to ignite your creativity and transform your ideas into viable business concepts.

In this interactive workshop, you’ll dive into the Business Model Canvas, exploring its 9 essential pillars. With the guidance of experienced facilitators, you’ll brainstorm and develop new business ideas using giant canvases, making the process dynamic and engaging.

Whether you’re at the beginning of your entrepreneurial journey or looking to enhance your skills, this session will provide you with the tools and motivation needed to turn your vision into a successful venture. Take this opportunity to connect with fellow aspiring entrepreneurs and start your path to success!

What is a Business Model Canvas?

The Business Model Canvas is a simple, visual tool that helps businesses map out their key elements on one page. It outlines who the customers are, what value the business offers, how it reaches and interacts with customers, how it earns revenue, what resources and activities are needed, and the costs involved.

Questions? powerup@ywcalgary.ca

Bridging to Employment

Get started with your career in Early Childhood Education through our self-paced ECE training program. This online course provides Alberta-based participants with the skills needed to obtain their Level 1 Early Childhood Educator certification.

Program Details

  • Virtual Level 1 Childcare Orientation through the Alberta Childcare Orientation via BaseCorp Learning Systems.
  • Eligible for First Aid and Police Check reimbursement if completed during the course period
  • In-person study groups available for collaborative learning
  • Practical childcare industry volunteer experience with YW Kids
  • 54 hours of online learning to be completed within 6 months

Eligibility

  • Available to Canadian citizens, permanent residents, and work/student visa holders. Work permits with conditions such as ‘not eligible to work in childcare’ are ineligible for this course.
  • Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB level 5 or higher)
  • 16 years or older; individuals under 18 require proof of parental consent
  • Legally residing in Alberta
  • Designed for individuals with strong levels of digital, and English language skills

Want to learn more?

Questions? Email us at weprosper@ywcalgary.ca

Economic Empowerment

Supports young women in achieving economic empowerment and financial stability.

  • Banking products & saving accounts – TFSA, RDSP, RRSP, RESP, etc.
  • How to build your credit score & repay debt
  • Budgeting.
  • Building your assets.
  • How consumerism impacts our money.

Check out our calendar!

In partnership with MediaSmarts, a series of workshops designed to teach everyday digital skills, developed with YWCA Canada. Workshops intended to educate and empower survivors focusing on responding to and preventing technology-facilitated violence and building the digital literacy skills of survivors so that they can confidently participate in online communities. To help build survivors’ resilience to increase control over and improve health and well-being by developing the confidence and skills to engage as active and informed digital citizens.

Modules will cover essential digital and critical thinking skills so participants can protect their security, privacy, reputation, and safety online.

 

In partnership with Momentum, we offer:

Financial Education

  • Improved understanding of financial matters (budgeting, assets, banking, credit, and consumerism), and develop long-term skills to self-manage their personal finances

Financial Administration

  • Receive one-on-one support to navigate online banking, develop and maintain a weekly budget, make bill payments on time, create a debt repayment plan, and work towards having emergency savings available

Healthy Relationships

An evidence-based program designed to support the Alberta Programs of Study for Health and Life Skills from grade 7 through high school (CALM) and is intentional in its multi-grade and formative approach.

The program supports students with developing and maintaining healthy interpersonal relationships (family, friendships, acquaintances, and intimate relationships). Interpersonal relationships impact every sphere of an individual’s life and are key in the transition from adolescence to adulthood for healthy development.

Workshops are purely educational (not counselling sessions or legal guidance) and benefits students in that they will better understand the fundamentals of a healthy relationship:

  • The fundamentals of a healthy relationship
  • Social-emotional development and pro-social behaviour
  • Identifying red flags and addressing unhealthy behaviours
  • Communication and conflict resolution
  • Understanding the importance of personal boundaries, values, and consent
  • Better understanding the importance of diversity and inclusion

The program utilizes a strength-based approach that encourages students to deepen awareness of their own feelings and values, and references brain science education such as the Resilience Scale (Alberta Family Wellness Initiative). Youth will be equipped with the knowledge and tools to thrive in their relationships.

HERE for Youth can be delivered in-person or virtually and consists of two (2) 1.5-hour interactive and strength-based workshops specific to each grade. Each workshop (grade 7 to CALM) can be split into two (2) 40-minute modules that focus on identified learning outcomes. Workshops include a PowerPoint presentation, hands-on interactive materials, and a brief post-workshop survey to support program evaluation and delivery.

The program is inclusive of all educational settings and can be adapted for implementation with specific CBE programs to align with any of the following teaching philosophies: all boys, all girls, Indigenous education focus, or traditional learning centre. The program will collaborate with educators to modify delivery of curriculum if needed and as appropriate.

Want to see HERE for Youth in your community? weprosper@ywcalgary.ca

The Healthy Relationships workshops use skill-building activities and discussions to explore topics related to understanding, building, and maintaining healthy relationships.

Topic Date
Drawing Your Boundaries September 4th
Exploring Your Emotions September 18th
Healthy Communication October 2nd
Staying Cool in Conflict October 16th
Building Your Coping Skills November 13th

Want to see more Healthy Relationships in your community? weprosper@ywcalgary.ca

Trusted Partners

Canadian Women's Chamber of Commerce Logo

What Our Participants Have to Say…

The HUB facility is a beautiful and well-equipped space
to learn and grow

I will be much more likely to reach out for professional support
around investing following this webinar!

Great workshop! Addressing barriers that women face when it comes to financial literacy, empowerment and independence is such a powerful tool.

Thank you for all of this great info! It was such a pleasure to join.
I hope that this seminar series will be hosted again!!

I learned so many financial tips that I wish I had learned throughout my many years of schooling.
Thank you again!

The Financial Education program was non-judgmental, and the information was easy to understand. Thanks to this program I feel empowered to make good financial decisions and on the road to financial prosperity

There is nothing out there like HereforYouth, this is an excellent program
that is inclusive and preventative in nature

Resources

Domestic Violence Toolkit

Healthy Relationships Toolkit