With incredible community support, the Women’s Centre continues to make a difference in the lives of women in Calgary.

In 2019, we responded to over 95,400 contacts from women in Calgary.

From employed women who cannot afford bus tickets to get to work; to mothers with small children needing emergency food hampers; to new immigrant women coming to our Practice English groups, we continue to support and connect women through our services.

We are providing basic needs assistance to women more than ever before. We are working to maintain a safe place for women to build community, to receive assistance and to help in return as they are able. And we are facilitating opportunities for women to address the underlying causes of the situations they deal with.

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The Numbers

In 2019, the Women’s Centre of Calgary:
  • Responded to more than 95,400 contacts from women.
  • Provided direct assistance with basic needs 18,422 times.
  • Made 4,799 basic need referrals and advocacy calls.
  • Provided 320 workshops covering topics such as health & wellness, arts & crafts, and professional development with 3,070 attendees.
  • Provided 131 Legal Advice Clinics accessed 353 times.
  • 676 women completed tax returns and 267 were able to access a benefits navigator.
  • Made 28,878 peer support, information and follow-up contacts.
  • Welcomed 12,624 attendees to make social connections and build community.
  • Welcomed women to use our computers and office equipment 15,801 times.
  • The Women’s Centre participated in 33 community events and attended 66 meetings to discuss and build community.
  • 817 volunteers have supported the Centre with 25,499 hours of volunteer work

Outcomes

The Centre achieved the following outcomes:
  • 97% of workshop participants report they learned something they wanted to know
  • 97% of women using the Centre report they feel safe at the Women’s Centre
  • 96% of legal advice clinic respondents report they know their next steps and they feel more in control
  • 89% of women report they are treated with respect at the Women’s Centre
  • 89% of women report feeling at home or a sense of belonging at the Women’s Centre
  • 84% of women coming to the Centre report they get support when they need it
  • 83% of women said they have used knowledge gained at the Women’s Centre
  • 75% of women said they met someone new or connected with a friend
  • 99% of women said they would recommend a workshop they attended to a friend
  • 79% of women report they feel they are given options when they come for assistance
  • 81% of women met people at the Women’s Centre they would not normally meet
  • 83% of women said they increased their community involvement by being involved with the Centre
  • 79% of women report they know more about women’s issues
  • 68% of respondents said they know more about resources in the community.
In 2019, we responded to:
91000
Contacts from women
72 %
Were made in person
21 %
Were made by phone
7 %
Were made by email
Women accessed our service daily an average of:
286
Times in person
130
Times over the phone or by email
At the Women’s Centre, we are a diverse community of women:
  • 23% are Aboriginal, First Nations, Inuit or Métis
  • 20% are immigrants and/or refugees
  • 20% are visible minorities
  • 9% are LGBTQIA2-S
  • 15% are living with a disability
  • 9% are seniors
  • 11% are youth (under 25)
And many of us experience the following challenges:
  • 41% are living or have lived in poverty
  • 28% are raising child(ren) or have raised child(ren) as a single parent
  • 34% are experiencing or have experienced a violent relationship
  • 14% are involved or have been involved in the criminal justice system
  • 32% have or have had  a chronic health issue
  • 27% are, or have been, homeless or living in a shelter
  • 40% are unemployed
  • 11% are underemployed or have precarious employment
  • 42% are single, divorced, or separated

Testimonials

Every day women tell us how the Women’s Centre has impacted their lives. In outcome evaluation surveys, women included comments such as:
"I’m an older woman who needs help. I’m embarrassed about asking for help. I’m the one who helps others, not the other way around! I phoned the Women’s Centre because I felt so uneasy about my situation. You see, my partner has become more and more abusive the longer he uses street drugs. I need to get out, but I have no idea how to even start…I knew I needed a lawyer first and foremost to get the money side of things organized before all else, and when I phoned the Centre, the Peer Support Volunteer told me she could put me on the list to speak with a lawyer for free. I’m so happy I’ll have someone who can point me in the right direction. After that, I know I have a lot of other steps to take.”
"The Women’s Centre has helped me when I am going through tough times always and I really appreciate them being there for us."
"It has given me a sense of pride and a purpose knowing I can come in and help people out."
"It has provided me with many resources that are essential to making me feel like I am a part of a community.”
“I’m not sure where I would be without the Women’s Centre. I’m sure I’d be okay, but I’d be much less involved in the community, much less confident and less fulfilled!”
“When I am lonely I come here it helps me so much.”
“I am able to relax or use the computer as I did in the home that I lost.”
“It is critical to have a place in our community that picks up people who fall through the cracks.”
“Coming to the Women’s Centre decreased my sense of isolation. It gave me a place to meet people and also helped me in job searching and finding other resources.”
“The staff and the volunteers have the patience to help with almost any situation they can. They sit and listen and try to help things get better.”
“The Women’s Centre has been a place of great support to my family as we are settling in as new immigrants. There is always someone to talk to and ask questions.”
“The Women’s Centre has helped keep my kids from starving as I have gotten food bank referrals here.”
“I really like the Women’s Centre peer model. It is so great to see people feeling empowered to help themselves and to see the sense of community and friendship at the Centre. It is a really great dynamic. It is a very positive, supportive atmosphere.”
”The Women’s Centre has made such a difference in my life. I got support from the centre when I needed it. I got the help and experience that I needed. Thank you for all you’ve done for me.”
“Through the Women’s Centre I’ve enjoyed wide range of learning, through workshops, discussions, and even exercise that I have never experienced in my life. It has changed me, made me a well-rounded person, more open and more loving.”
“When I first entered this country three years ago, I didn’t know anyone. One of my neighbours advised me to visit Women’s Centre, where I have received a lot of help.”
“I like the friendly and busy atmosphere. The volunteers and staff, and other clients, are all very friendly and supportive.”
“The Women’s Centre is more like a home to me. Thank you!”
“It has brought more support to women in the community, because it is a place where women go to meet other women and to feel safe.”
“The Women’s Centre makes the community stronger. It lends support and acts as a meeting place for women who are seeking someone to talk to, either to deal with crises or just broaden their horizons.”
“I really enjoy the broad range of backgrounds of the people I’ve met at the Women’s Centre, and the openness to real discussions that I’ve encountered. It is truly a safe space.”
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