We help women and girls flee violence, secure housing, find jobs, establish their voices, enhance skills and develop confidence. We offer a range of housing options, employment and training programs, community support programs, girls' programs and family programs; we also engage in systemic advocacy.
As part of a national and international movement, the YWCA is a turning point in the lives of 25 million women and girls world wide.
We welcome women of all faiths, sexual orientations, races, cultural affiliations and creeds.
YWCA Toronto is funded by the United Way Toronto & York Region, the City of Toronto, the Province of Ontario, the Government of Canada, as well as many corporate sponsors, foundations and individual donors.
YWCA Toronto is a registered charity. Our charitable business number is 108229865 RR0001.
Vision
YWCA Toronto seeks a radical transformation of society where all women, girls and gender diverse people can thrive.
Mission
YWCA Toronto is a leader and collaborator in the provision of feminist,
intersectional and transformative shelter and housing, employment and
training, leadership, and advocacy for women, girls and gender diverse
people.
Values
INTERSECTIONAL FEMINISM
We support the strength of women, girls and gender diverse people, with boldness, creativity and passion. We acknowledge the profound and differential impact of racism, oppression and colonialism across the diversity of our participant population and our staff teams. We work to promote a climate that is welcoming and responsive to all women and gender diverse people. We strive to provide participants and staff of all races, religions, classes, ages, sexual orientations, gender identities, abilities and immigration statuses with programs, services and work environments that are culturally responsive, culturally safe, equitable and accountable.
COMMUNITY VOICES
We centre the voices and experiences of all participants in establishing our advocacy priorities and in developing and evaluating our programs.
SOCIAL JUSTICE
We work tenaciously to create meaningful social change and equity for women, girls and gender diverse people. We specifically call out and work towards eradicating anti-Black and anti-Indigenous racism. We acknowledge the Indigenous land on which the Association works, and we are committed to meaningful acts of reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples.
COLLABORATION AND PARTNERSHIP
We seek opportunities to strengthen our capacity and the capacity of allied and sister service organizations, to expand service offerings for participants and to strengthen advocacy and movement building initiatives.
SERVICE EXCELLENCE
We hold ourselves accountable to deliver high-quality, trauma-informed services and provide programs that reflect the self-identified priorities of our communities.
SUSTAINABILITY
We work to ensure that the resources and strategies of the Association will allow us to evolve and thrive.