[Open Me] - YWCA Niagara Region

Connect Online
Table of Contents
For two years now, our Bloggers have gathered together to discuss, critique and create
thoughtful posts about everything from how to pack a healthy lunch for your kids to the
sexualisation of women in the media. All with a woman’s perspective and often, a sense of
humour and wit. So this Sunday morning, grab your morning coffee and join us! We’d love to
hear what you think. www.ywcaniagararegion.ca/communications/our-blog/
Admin Office & St. Catharines Shelter
183 King Street
St. Catharines, ON L2R 3J5
T: 905-988-3528 | F: 905-988-3739
Upcoming Events
Annual General Meeting: November is just around the corner, and with it the YW’s Annual
General Meeting. Come join us on the evening of Wednesday, November 19th as we reflect on a
year’s worth of stories, transformations and hope.
Contact Donna Shelton at [email protected] or call 905 988 3528 ext. 3222.
Power of Being a Girl: On February 12, 200 highschool girls will gather at the Gale Centre in
Niagara Falls for the annual Power of Being a Girl Conference. This year, we will empower and
inspire one another as we explore our body image, and what it means to be comfortable in our
own skin. Contact Krystal at [email protected] or call T: 905-988-3528 ext. 3244.
Niagara Falls Shelter
6135 Culp Street
Niagara Falls, ON L2G 2B6
T: 905-357-9191 | F: 905-357-9161
Online
www.ywcaniagararegion.ca
www.facebook.com/YWCANiagaraRegion
www.twitter.com/YWCA_Niagara
Charitable #10822 9816 RR0001
Fall Newsletter 2014
Keeping YOU on the front lines.
Fall Newsletter 2014
New Beginnings
--- Client Profile
Every once in a while our shelter is graced
with a woman who leaves her special mark on
those who are fortunate to know her. Such
was the experience of Women’s Advocate
Sami Jo with her client Margaret. Margaret
was the victim of an alcoholic and abusive
husband, and turned to alcoholism to cope
with the pain of her abuse.
She had the strength to
leave her husband and
check herself in to a rehab
program, but suffered
extreme anxiety for
having no safe place to
call home. Enter SamiJo, and the YWCA’s On
Site Transitional Housing
Program.
Relieved to have “home”
covered, Margaret’s
recovery improved.
The year showed
Margaret’s fortitude
through her journey
to independence.
L2R 3J5
St. Catharines, ON
183 King Street
[Open Me]
Client Profile . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Transitional Housing . . . . . . . . 1
Sponsor Spotlight . . . . . . . . . 2
Community Partnerships . . . 2
YW Needs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Event Highlight . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Volunteer Spotlight . . . . . . . . 3
Mission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Connect Online . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Upcoming Events . . . . . . . . . . 4
She met every challenge
with a level chin, and
the attitude to “forgive
yourself, be patient in
your healing, and appreciate the help that
is offered. Know that you’re worth a new
beginning…” Margaret’s one year stay in the
On Site program is nearing an end. She looks
forward to her independence, and her life as
a new Grandma. The YW’s hope for Margaret
is for her to continue on her journey as she
always has, “to live physically, emotionally, and
spiritually healthy, engulfed within the love of
her supportive family”.
Keeping YOU on the front lines of the work of the YW
Regaining Independence
--- Off Site Transitional Housing
“I do not wish women to have power over men; but over themselves” (Mary Wollstonecraft,
‘A Vindication of the Rights of Woman’, 1792). More than 200 years after Wollstonecraft wrote
those words, the empowerment of women is still an important task – for our society, our
politicians, and our community.
At the YWCA, a significant step in our clients’ journey towards regaining their
independence, is the Off Site Transitional Housing Program. Women who use this service
can come from outside organizations, but the majority of them have come through the
YW’s shelter system. Often they have first entered either the St. Catharines or Niagara
Falls Emergency Shelter, and
then moved into our On Site
Transitional Housing.
Thanks to partnerships with
the Niagara Region, Niagara
Regional Housing and local
landlords, women who are
ready to live independently
then get the opportunity
to move to one of our 45
apartments throughout the
Region. The YW carries
the lease for the first year
and at the end of the year,
the women have the option
of taking on the lease
themselves.
During the year, they work
hard on setting goals for
themselves that will enable
them to live independently.
“The women are often excited to be able to have a nice apartment in a safe location
that is affordable”, says Jessica Velasco, Transitional Support Worker. “Some are nervous
because it is their first time living alone but most are excited to finally have their own
space.”
Both single women and single women with children are eligible to participate in the
program. They must be free of addictions, and in stable mental health. In our Grimsby
Off Site Housing Program, we accept men as well. “What I enjoy most is seeing the
success of the 15 women I work closely with during the year and being able to be
a support for them when needed”, explains Jessica. It is a chance for them to live
independently again and to have a place to call home.
You Shine --- Sponsor spotlight
No Fixed Address
Our “No Fixed Address” (NFA) event would not be the same without the generous support of Meridian Credit
Union and Mountainview Homes. They have been passionate supporters of the YWCA for the past couple of
years now and we are grateful for this valuable partnership.
This year, the YW started our dye-cut Car Campaign, where for a $2 donation, customers could print their
name on a bright orange car and tape it to the donation wall. This couldn’t have been a success without the
excitement and support from Meridian’s amazing staff. They were also part of dress down Fridays, with all
contributions going to the YW.
NFA co-chair, Crystal D’Cunha from Mountainview Homes, says she is still ‘along for the ride’ because
of the impact she has been able to see: “We actually have a chance at making a difference in
women and children’s lives. They can go on to be successful, independent, confident, educated,
strong individuals and that alone will give us a stronger tomorrow.”
Thank you, Meridian and Mountainview Homes, for your continuous generosity and support.
In The Headlines --- Community Partnerships
Ride: On September 21st, 19 cyclists set out on a chilly Sunday morning to ride the third annual 100,000,000mm Cycle Challenge along
the Niagara Parkway. After a quick photo outside the Niagara Falls Culp Street shelter, they were off! Men and women, young and old, solo
and on tandems, fit and… struggling, all participants braved strong winds, but managed to complete the 100km loop that began downtown
Niagara Falls, to Welland, Port Colborne, Fort Erie, and back to the Falls along the Niagara Parkway. Now in its third year, the 100,000,000
Cycle Challenge raises funds for a different cause every year. This year’s ride has so far raised over $10,000 for the YWCA Niagara Region,
and in total, over $30,000 combined for us and other
agencies. A huge thank you to Rick Lombardi of Mac’s
Bikes Niagara for organizing this great event, and to
the Courtyard Marriot, Newton Financial, Subway
Restaurants and DJB for their support. Everyone rose to
the Challenge!
Tree of Life: The YW is proud to be the recipient of
Shoppers Drug Mart’s Annual Tree of Life Campaign at
the Lake and Carlton Plaza. “Our customers feel like
they can really get involved in the local community with
their donation”, says Jessica Rowdon, cosmetics manager
at Shoppers. She helps organize several activities
throughout the month of October: “Customers can make
donations, buy goodie bags, we have a book sale, a bake
sale – it’s fun!” Last year, Shoppers raised $2000 for the
YW. Thank you for supporting the YW’s women and
families as we work together to build a strong and vibrant
community.
The Season Of Giving--- YW Needs
Every year at Christmastime our shelter is transformed seemingly overnight. From top to bottom, wreaths, lights and
ornaments fill common areas and client rooms, and our Kate Leonard and Board Rooms burst with gifts for every woman
and child staying in one of our shelters.
Christmas should be a joyful time to celebrate with loved ones, but for those living in the shelter, it can be particularly
difficult. That is why our staff and volunteers work tirelessly to raise spirits and to ensure that on
Christmas morning, all 200 women, children and some men throughout the region will have a gift to open of their
own. We can’t do it alone! We hope that this year you will consider donating an unwrapped gift that just might make
someone’s holiday season a little brighter.
The YWCA Niagara Region relies on generous donations from our community to help women and their families break the cycle of poverty
and homelessness and create a life that includes financial stability and permanent housing. And it’s never been easier to help make this
possible. Donate online at www.ywcaniagararegion.ca, send your cheque to 183 King Street, St. Catharines, ON L2R 3J5 or give us a call to
pay with credit card at (905) 988-3528 x.3237.
We are always looking for in-kind donations as well. Please check out our website for our up-todate “High Needs” list, or feel free to call to see what our urgent needs are.
Donate
--- Event Highlight
Our third annual No Fixed Address event took place in August, with a
record 100 participants taking part in the 24 hour live-in-your-car-a-thon
to raise awareness
and funds for the
hidden homeless in
the Region. It was a
chilly August morning,
but when the sun
came out it turned
into a beautiful and
inspirational day of
change.
“Having a home
is the first critical
step. That step
gives a person
the dignity and recognition that they are a person of worth.” --Irene, guest speaker
and former YW client
It was bound to be
an uncomfortable
night’s sleep for all
of our participants
– the back seat
of a car or the
hard, flatbed of a
truck is no place
to call a home.
Unfortunately for
many, though,
it is a sad and
devastating reality.
This year’s event raised over $53, 000 for the women and
families using the YW’s services. No Fixed Address also saw many first time
participants, who vowed to continue making a change in our community and
providing support for
the hidden homeless.
Many, many thanks to our participants and sponsors for taking
part in this life changing event. None of this would be possible
without the passion and heart that you all bring to the table.
Thank you!
Mission
“The YWCA Niagara Region is part of a national and worldwide
movement that is passionate about empowering women and their
families by providing safe, supportive housing and programs, and
creating opportunity for all women to reach their full potential.”
Meet
You Rock
Rob
--- Volunteer Spotlight
Rob Rolfe is the owner of Bistro on Church, a cute
little café committed to using local and fresh products
to make delicious homemade breakfast and lunch
items.
It was after attending a food festival and observing
the ‘astronomical amount of food’ that was thrown
away, that Rob thought of the YW. Ever since then,
he has been ‘dropping off what we can when we can.’
This summer Rob donated food and time to provide a
scrumptious lunch and dinner for the 100 participants
at No Fixed Address.
Also a volunteer firefighter at the Lincoln fire
department, Rob spearheaded a response to our call
out for food items for the pantry at the King Street
shelter. The department collected and donated sixty
boxes of cereal to the pantry.
Giving, kind and always ready to lend a helping hand,
Rob’s generosity warms our hearts from the inside out.
“Sometimes it’s the smaller organizations that have
been forgotten about. I’m only a small business so I
hope dealing with the YW a little bit when I can will
make a bigger impact”, says Rob.