Dear YWCA Toronto Community,
With 2022 coming to close, I want to reflect on some of our achievements in a deeply challenging year and focus on the immense hope that underscores all that we do.
COVID variants continued to impact how we provided services and how we connected with our communities in person. The war in Ukraine, gun violence in the United States, the discovery of unmarked graves in Canada, and the senseless death of Mahsa Amini in Iran all shocked us to our core. Yet amidst the devastation and grief, still we mobilized for change. Rooted in hope and the commitment of our community members, donors, partners and staff we achieved phenomenal outcomes. The late bell hooks said it best about how we do our work, “Hope is essential to any political struggle for radical change when the overall social climate promotes disillusionment and despair.”
Carried over from 2022, we further reinforced our commitment to racial justice by completing our anti-racism audit in partnership with an external firm, staff and participants. The staff team and Board will be reviewing the key findings and recommendations. 2023 will surely involve putting much of the feedback into action.
Inspired by healing power of art, we expanded our community of programs with Inspirations Studio in July. Located at 389 Church Street, the studio is a low-barrier ceramics program which provides arts education for women and gender diverse people who have experienced the impacts of poverty and housing instability.
I am also proud to share that we received $451,962 from the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) for our expressive art-based therapy programs in support of mothers and their children who have survived violence – thank you PHAC for your generosity!
Our advocacy arm produced two digital election campaigns. Our provincial campaign was organized with our YWCA Ontario Coalition and focused on choosing gender equity and a five-point feminist plan; our municipal election campaign with WomanACT was endorsed by more than 35 partners and demanded greater municipal investment to address systemic inequalities growing in Toronto along racial, gender and neighbourhood lines. We continue to advocate at all levels of government for an equitable feminist recovery.
We are grateful to our many donors and sponsors who helped raise over $627,000 for vital programs at our 41st YWCA Toronto Women of Distinction Awards Gala. Your generosity continued with an amazing $40,775 raised on Giving Tuesday.
Most recently, we officially announced the transfer of ownership and operation of 760 homes through our partnership with the Neighbourhood Land Trust, the City of Toronto and Circle Community Land Trust. We are always thrilled to expand our housing portfolio with more affordable housing solutions.
Lastly, I am proud to share that we have been recognized by Canada's Top 100 Employers as one of the GTA Top Employers for 2023. This award mirrors our commitment to creating safe, inclusive spaces which help to improve the lives of the communities we serve and our employees.
Again, thank you to our donors, funders, partners and staff. Our achievements are not possible without you. I am confident that we can continue making lasting change in our community while standing up for a better future.
Wishing you a restful holiday season. May hope lead you in the new year.
With gratitude,
Heather McGregor
Chief Executive Officer
YWCA Toronto