2019 continues to be a challenging year for many women and their families in our community. We see the impact of the struggling economy at the Women’s Centre every day. The demand for our emergency food hampers has gone up by 18% in the first 6 months of the year, which means that an additional 60 women per month need emergency food. We anticipate that we will see over 9,000 women at the Centre this year, each of whom is seeking support and or connection. Women like Maria come to the Centre to access resources in times of need and find that the Centre is a hub for women, a place to get support and connect with other women.
“It has given me a place where I feel I belong, where I know I can get help if I need it, where I am supported and encouraged to be the best version of myself. It has helped me feel at home in a city that is not my own (I am a newcomer to Canada in the past year). It has given me information on other services in the city that can help with food insecurity, mental health, etc. It has been a huge contributor to my feeling of community in Calgary, it has widened my perspective on life and given me a lot of food for thought. I am so grateful for the Women’s Centre.”
Today, we’re launching our Year-End Campaign to ensure that women like Maria continue to have a place for support and connection in our community.
The Women’s Centre offers opportunities for women to receive and provide support, build community through a variety of programs and connect with others. The Centre is also a place for girls to connect, to build their confidence and address the issues that are impacting their lives. Girl camp and after school programs are free and for most girls this is the only program like this that they will have an opportunity to attend.
Larissa attended the girls program 11 years ago and this year she returned to the Centre to participate in the Women Lead YYC program. Larissa says she feels “honoured” to be part of the Women’s Centre and the Women Lead YYC program where she can share her wisdom with other incredibly diverse and inspiring women.
“I am incredibly grateful for the opportunities the Centre has given me. Whether I am 9 years old or 20 years old the Centre continues to inspire me, I am the woman I am right now thanks to the opportunities I have had at the Women’s Centre.”
Women Lead YYC, launched in 2018, is a very popular leadership program where women like Larissa build their confidence and connections and are inspired and feel supported to take the lead in their community projects.
Our programs and services are delivered by over 700 volunteers, who lead workshops, participate in community events, support fundraising initiatives, and provide countless hours of peer support to other women.
We believe every woman has something to contribute. There are times for all of us when we may need help, and there are also times when we are able to give help.
Today we ask you to consider giving to the Women’s Centre, to support our work to be a safe space for women in need, and a place where women and girls can connect, grow and work for positive change.
We truly appreciate your support of the Women’s Centre and you can be assured that your donation will be used to make a real, lasting impact in the lives of women and girls in Calgary. We simply can’t create a community that both helps and empowers women to thrive without you.
There are many ways you can contribute to the Women’s Centre:
To give online please visit our online giving page.
Keep us in mind for Giving Tuesday on December 3, 2019.
You can also help women and their families by donating toys and gifts to our holiday toy room.
We are always grateful for your gifts of time and knowledge as a Women’s Centre volunteer.
And finally, one of the greatest ways you can support the Women’s Centre, anytime throughout the year, is by sharing these opportunities to give back to the community. Whatever way you are able to give to the Women’s Centre, we thank you for your continued support.