You know her. She had a profound impact on your life. She took care of you when you were sick and she looked after her aging parents. She worked two part-time jobs so you could have new shoes for school. She was a caring teacher. She was a friendly neighbour who looked after your kids when you were in a jam. She was there for you when you needed to cry. She was strong and taught you to stand up for yourself. She challenged the status quo—she challenged the community to become a better place for all of us.

winter 2012, Q3 newsletter

stay connected: www.ywcahamilton.org

www.ywcahamilton.org 75 MacNab St S Hamilton ON L8P 3C1 905.522.9922

This holiday season when you give to the YWCA, you’re not just supporting cutting edge programs—you’re investing in change that will ripple across families and our local community. By investing in women and girls you create those same, small moments that had such a profound impact on your life.

give her independence give her safety

give back her health give back her Life

$50 $200

$500

she shouldn’t have to work two part time jobs to buy a pair of school shoes—through YWCA’s employment resource centre and employment programs she can gain the skills she needs to get good a paying job or start her own business.

offer her safety—YWCA’s Transitional Living Program gives her a place to settle and rebuild her life after traumatic experiences. Help her through some of the most challenging times of her life.

when women are struggling on a day-to-day basis, too often they sacrifice their own health for their family’s. Through YWCA programs help women with low incomes to establish good health and help women reclaim their lives after breast cancer!

Your impact is immediate. Your donation goes toward making a difference in the lives of women and children in 2013 —meaning that the change is felt right away. Many of our programs receive no sustainable funding & rely on YWCA Hamilton donations.

One gift. A small moment. A profound & lasting impact.

give her a voice $100 many children don’t get extra curricular opportunities or simple experiences that make childhood special. Through YWCA’s child & youth programming, you can give vulnerable kids the opportunities they need to develop positive self-esteem, build confidence, and enjoy stimulating, creative and physical activities to become the change-makers of tomorrow.

winter 2012, Q3

www.ywcahamilton.org

from transitional living to college—Nicole Bade’s story

stay connected: www.ywcahamilton.org

“There’s a part in the human story that yearns to have a place called home,” says Jane Smith-Eivemark, Interim Supervisor of YWCA Hamilton’s Transitional Living Program. This was true for Nicole Bade who urgently found herself in need of a home after staying at a shelter for 6 weeks. “When I first started calling around, shelters would tell me to call back tomorrow because they were full. Other than shelters, YWCA is really the only option in Hamilton.”

The Transitional Living Program is a temporary home for 65 women who turn to the YWCA for safe housing when leaving abusive relationships or the streets facing homelessness due to mental health, addictions and poverty. Women can stay at the YW for up to a year and are supported by a multitude of services including around the clock on site support. Nicole had experienced great hopelessness and despair when she first arrived at the YWCA. She grappled with personal trauma and severe financial limitations, “There was very little I could do—I had so little money. Some days I was an emotional wreck.”

YWCA staff sat down with Nicole to work through her trauma and help her set goals. She told them she wanted to get off Ontario Works, go back to high school, and maybe go to College. A daunting dream that would require enormous personal determination. There were days when Nicole felt overwhelmed; her goals appeared too far out of reach. She felt trapped and immobilized by her poverty. Despite the many tears Nicole continued speaking with YWCA staff who encouraged her to take steps—helping her to not accept defeat. Last spring Nicole was accepted into affordable, permanent housing after 11 months on the waiting list. Then in April, Nicole opened an email at YWCA’s employment centre, “I turned to Lauren (staff) and said, ’I made it. I’m going to Mohawk.’ I started crying. I couldn’t believe it. I made it.” Nicole was accepted to the Office Administrative General program at Mohawk College. With enormous pride, Nicole

says, “this spring I’m walking across that stage—I’m graduating.” Back at the YW, Jane explains

that the Transitional Living Program is not just about providing a roof —it’s about having a safe place to settle, access to resources and beginning the journey of rebuilding lives. “These women are the forgotten ones of our society,” says Jane. “As a community we need to help women in poverty.” Indeed, our housing program receives minimal government funding. The members of the YW and their contributions keep the Transitional Living Program going. “Who is really going to pay attention to women in poverty?” asks Jane, “YWCA can proudly say, We Are.”

Nicole Bade at Mohawk College

Gay Lea Foods “Spreads” Social Responsibility! Gay Lea Foods, Ontario’s largest dairy co-op, believes in sustainable development. That’s why their investment in YWCA Hamilton’s Transitional Living Program comes as no surprise. The co-op is owned by 1,200 Ontario farmers—people who understand the importance of having community programming to help women get back on their feet—because we all know someone who has, is, or will be experiencing poverty, homelessness or violence. These are issues that affect us all. In this way, the co-op truly espouses its Corporate Social Responsibility motto: Genuine Not Just Generous. While focusing on the needs of their members—everyday Ontarians—Gay Lea Foods helped to support 298 women during some of the most challenging and exciting times of their lives. Gay Lea consumers get more than just butter and dairy products: their purchase contributes to improving the lives of women and girls in our community. Page 2

“I turned to Lauren and said, I made it. I’m going to Mohawk.”

winter 2012, Q3

www.ywcahamilton.org

stay connected: www.ywcahamilton.org

announcements & events!

for more information on events & announcements call 905-522-9922 or visit us online www.ywcahamilton.org Page 3

community support home for young women—NEW YWCA Hamilton is pleased to announce the opening of a new home for young women with developmental disabilities on Nov 1, 2012.

What Makes A Man Conference Coming February What Makes A Man Conference. Watch for details online.

December 6—national day of remembrance Mark the anniversary of the Montreal Massacre. Location: Workers Arts & Heritage Centre Date: Dec 6, 2012 Details: to follow online

Before & after school care @ Ottawa St—NEW A fully licensed before & after school program. Includes: homework help, physical & creative activities, weekly swim, & a healthy snack. AM care is $6/day PM Care is $9/day (ages 5-12)

Ottawa St BIA “Sew This Is Christmas” Event Location: YWCA Ottawa Street Date: November 30 2012 all day FREE ACTIVIES: family swim 6-7 pm, zumbia aerobics class 6-7pm, Kids Club w/ swim 5:30-8pm, Girls Night In w/ swim 5:30-8pm

20 years of supervised access

This year the Ministry of the Attorney General marks 20 years of supervised access—a program that has touched the lives of thousands of children across Ontario. Family breakdown through separation or divorce can be incredibly hard on everyone involved—but especially children. When parents dispute child custody or when there is a risk to the safety of either a parent or child, supervised access reduces the conflict a child is exposed too and helps to keep parents and children connected when family turmoil would otherwise keep them apart. Since 2000, YWCA Hamilton has offered supervised access, giving children the opportunity to know their non-custodial parents in their formative years. Today, Ontario boasts 103 centres which benefit 2,700 children annually.

what we’ve been up to

Leadership Summit For Women

#Respect Conference

Person’s Day Breakfast

Take Back The Night

United Way Campaign

Run for the Cure

Flash Mob

view more pictures on facebook

Active Young Moms is a unique program focusing on physical activities and healthy lifestyles for mom & child. While kids play under the care of staff, young moms access YWCA fitness programming. Moms return to their children for a

healthy snack and a shared discussion on immerging challenges they are facing. Young mom Alicia Breedon likes the program’s unique focus on mom’s health. “It’s important for moms to be healthy because they are role models—monkey see, monkey do— if children don’t see their moms being active they won’t be active either.” Program coordinator Ashley Mikitzel agrees, “lots of moms struggle to go to fitness programs because they can’t have their children in the same space—here they can.”

Active Young Moms meet from 9-11 am on Monday at Ottawa St. and Wednesday at MacNab St. FREE

GirlSpace is an after school program that provides leadership opportunities, promotion of healthy and positive self-esteem, creative expression, group discussion and physical activities. Sade Primo, a grade 9 student, became a GirlSpace volunteer after years of attending YW programs and the GirlSpace Book Reading Club. Sade believes it’s important for her to be a strong female role model because, “girls look up to other girls and try to be like them.” Program coordinator Victoria Kaulback agrees, “When the girls see Sade volunteering and taking on a leadership role they can envision themselves in that role. It gives them the confidence to become leaders themselves.” To find out more about GirlSpace volunteer opportunities call Alex 905-522-9922 ext. 111

winter 2012, Q3

www.ywcahamilton.org

Grovin’ With Gratitude fit pass members are invited to our member appreciation events. Free draws, food & health & wellness pack-ages for the holidays. MacNab St: Nov. 23, 2012 Ottawa St: Nov. 23—Nov. 30, 2012

Aqua Joggers Now offered Fridays 12:10-12:40 pm—visit online schedule for more classes to come.

Personal Training motivation, adherence, RESULTS! 1:1 training or small group. Call Deanna ext. 118

Gift Certificates Available—Give the Gift of Health

Around The Bay train Tues-days at 4:30 pm with Kim ext.118

Tabata—NEW Join this new

high intensive anaerobic activity workout. Quick. Short Burst. Intense. Otta-wa Street location Thurs-day 9:15-9:45 am Call Tara ext. 30

stay connected: www.ywcahamilton.org

kids get active at ‘YW’ Holiday Camp December 21st to Jan 7th 7:30

am — 5:45 pm Join us for active holiday camp for fun physical & creative activities, swimming & more (ages 6-12). Contact front desk for details.

PA Day Camp YWCA is offering PA Day Camp

November 23rd and January 25th at Ottawa Street & MacNab Street locations 7:30 am—5:45 pm (ages 6-12). Contact front desk for details.

Girls Programming FREE after school

programming for girls starts again January 7, 2013 for girls ages 5-13. Visit our schedule online. Girls Fit—NEW Girls aged 13 and up are invited to join us to learn how to effectively workout, safely use the equipment, and get FIT. We focus on healthy living & positive self image. MacNab: Mondays 4—5pm Ottawa: Tuesdays 3:45-4:45pm Financial Assistance is available for

all children’s programming through Jump Start—inquire at the YWCA.

GirlSpace Volunteers

break a sweat Tabata Thursday

Sade Primo—GirlSpace Volunteer

Alicia Breedon & son Tanner

Active Young Moms

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boost your immune system with fitness

adults get active at ‘YW’