By: Channtra Ros, Priyanka Patel & Kamilah States

YWCA

About YWCAYWCA is dedicated to improving

the lives of women and girls everywhere. They help women and girls flee violence, secure housing, find jobs, establish

their voices, enhance skills and develop confidence. They offer a

range of housing options, employment and training

programs, community support programs, girls' programs and family programs and advocate.

YWCA`s Teen Mother`s Program started in 1890 and has been

around for 38 years

It started in December 1975 and started as a partnership with

Toronto public health , 15 years ago they cut affiliations with

themThey are also affiliated with Agincourt Community Centre

Partners• Funded by The United

Way• City of Toronto• Provincee of Ontario• Government of CanadaAnd many other

corporate sponsors, foundation and individual donors

Mandate of AgencyA Turning Point for Women

Services/Programs

• They serve girls all ages • Shelters available• Counselling• Programs avail. for children who witness

domestic violence and more• Employment• Immigration• Housing – they provide emergency and

permanent housing• Food, toys and clothing banks• Psychological edu.• Child care attached to programs- both

licensed (west end locations) and unlicensed • Community based programs &Community

worker visits• Food/meals support available • Learning about Children’s behaviours• Resource centre 9am-12pm Mon-Fri• Getting a phone call referral from them -

Requesting more support and being transferred and referred to other agencies

• Care groups• Walk in support• They choose themselves to move one, they

can come back any time

Women’s ServicesYoung mothers come to the YWCA to get referred or were referred, to improve their parenting skills , to get support , to learn and socialize with other mothers. Child care is attached to some programs- both licensed (west end locations) and unlicensed .

Girls` ProgramsYWCA offers girls their

own space where they can talk, explore, dream and plan. They provide girls and young women

with a safe and fun space to develop leadership

skills and try new things. Their caring staff offer girls and young women counselling, settlement

services, help with school, career

support, parenting support and lots of fun

activities.

Employment & Training•Recent Immigrants - YWCA helps

women find work and get settled in their new home. In an all-women environment, they also offer employment services, no-cost English classes and settlement support to women and girls who are new to Canada.

•Job search help - YWCA helps women find jobs. They provide women with free and low cost employment and training programs, specialized workshops and one-on-one career support. •Job training - YWCA helps women improve their employment skills and unlock their potential. Women can take classes to get their high school equivalency diploma, improve their English, enhance their computer skills, learn a skilled trade and reconnect with their interests, skills and abilities.  

Community OutreachThe YWCA helps women

find safety and support and provides free shelter in case of emergencies, they offer interest-free loans for women fleeing abusive and violent homes, as well as counselling and support groups for women who have experienced violence and women coping with mental health challenges. 

• Advocacy - to achieve greater equality and social justice for women and girls• From calling to flyers and information fairs• Community connection – shelters, safe houses, housing, food banks, etc...• Committee meetings• Word of mouthMaking connections with other people and other communities

Internationally recognized - Some other YWCA centres in other countries are Christian organizations

Barriers• Lack of funding – with

only enough funding to serve 120 moms and 150 children at a time

• Age limit for the Teen Mom`s Program is 22

• Waiting list for some programs and services – some have to wait for openings in their programs

• Time limit for some services and programs

• Lack of volunteers and space

• Lack of options

How can we help?

• Donate• Volunteer• Become a YWCA

member• Fundraise – penny

drive• Leave a legacy -

stocks, will bequest - a certain amount of money left behind in the name of YWCA ,bonds etc...

Teens Dealing with Parenthood• They have different

challenges than some – missing school, lack of social life etc...

• Different than other parents

• Less exposure to kids , some have more exposure to kids if they have siblings

• Stigma/stereotypes/myths that teens are unequipped, they don’t have it together to be parents, they are poor etc...

• Feeling judged• Feeling like they

are alone in the world with no one to help

References

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