Women’s Centre of Calgary 2010 Annual Report Our Mission and Vision The Women’s Centre of Calgary is a unique, street-front organization that provides a variety of services and opportunities to the women of Calgary. Our mission is to be every woman’s place for support, connections and community. Our vision is women supporting communities, communities supporting women. The Women’s Centre is a safe place for women to: • get assistance • connect with others • work for change Fostering change and inclusion In 2010 we responded to more than 62,000 contacts. That’s double the number three years ago. As a result, growth management continues to be a major issue. To ensure we were not overwhelmed by basic needs demand, we made a number of changes. We reorganized our staff team so that we have leads on each of our three core areas of work: assisting with basic needs, building social inclusion and addressing social issues. We changed staff hours to ensure all staff have time for learning, increased training to build the depth of women’s issues knowledge among volunteers, and worked to foster an environment for change. With funding from the Calgary Foundation we are building skills around public policy. Project funding from United Way will enable us to continue our work to create change over the next three years. The Board of Directors focused on growth and ensuring sustainability. Goals were set at the annual board planning retreat and leads on resources, people and community will direct work in 2011. 2010 was a very successful year thanks to the hard work of staff and 434 volunteers. With City of Calgary, FCSS funding we were able to hire a consultant to evaluate our way of work and social inclusion. The evaluation found that “there is a reciprocal and interconnected relationship between the community capacity building peer model at the Women’s Centre and social inclusion . At times it is difficult to discern which begets which. However, what is fundamental to them both is recognizing that they are integral to one another and together create deep and far reaching positive impacts for all women involved with the Women’s Centre.” Best practices which were identified included: •Empathy •Reciprocity •Active diversity work and non-judgmental practice •Leadership and non-hierarchical culture •Staff and volunteer competency: critical thinking and reflective practice •Open-space physical layout of organization •Open and accessible operational structure •Immediate response and contextual support •Women’s only space Funding from United Way of Calgary will enable us to continue our evaluation in 2011 with an assessment of our work in the areas of basic needs and social issues. 2010 was a very successful year thanks to the hard work of staff and 434 volunteers. It was made possible by core funders the City of Calgary, FCSS and United Way of Calgary, and more than 700 individual donors, foundations, community groups and businesses who provided key support for our critical work. In 2010, the Women’s Centre of Calgary - Responded to more than 62,000 contacts from women, a 15% increase over 2009. - Provided direct assistance 7,262 times for basic needs. - Made basic needs referrals and advocacy calls 13,462 times. - Offered 163 workshops. Total attendance at these workshops was 1,605. - TheLegal Clinic was accessed by 205 women. - Peer support, information and follow-up contacts were made 17,479 times. - Women participated in a variety of groups. Total attendance at these groups was 1,109. - Women dropped in to make social connections and build community 7,337 times. - Women came in to use our computers, technology and office equipment 8,527 times. - Women participated in community development coalitions and events 5,304 times. Our Programs The Women’s Centre offers women the opportunity to both receive and provide support, and to create connections and community through a variety of programs which recognize the issues facing women (poverty, unemployment, partner abuse, etc). Our programs are developed in response to identified needs in the community and are flexible and responsive to women’s changing needs. Basic Needs Program: We provide direct assistance (emergency food, personal care items, bus tickets) for women in need. We have a Commissioner of Oaths and assist with taxes and other forms. We also provide information and resources to women, while completing a wide variety of referrals to other social service agencies in the city. Technology Program: Women have free access to computers and the Internet, photocopier, fax machine, phones, computer workshops and mentoring. Legal Clinic: Volunteer lawyers provide free legal advice to women on a one-to-one basis. Birthday Toy Program: Mothers can choose birthday gifts for their children. We also host an annual Toy Room during the holidays for women and children. Social Inclusion and Integration: The Women’s Centre is a safe place for women to drop-in. They can connect with other women and build community. Peer Support: Non-judgmental, non-therapeutic support that women provide to each other. Lifelong Learning Program: We offer free workshops and groups on a wide range of topics from basic car care, yoga and self-defence to feminism, diversity, and empowerment issues. Ongoing groups include Practice English and Community Kitchen. Social Issues Work: In addition to helping women meet their basic needs and create community, we strive to give all women opportunities to get involved in social justice issues and have a voice in public policy. Network and Coalition Work: The Women’s Centre also works on networks and coalitions to address both service needs and women’s and diversity issues. We work on collaboration and networks such as Poverty Talks, Vibrant Communities, and Basic Needs Network. Girl Power Summer Camps: The Women’s Centre offers Girl Power Camps in the summer mentoring young girls (10-15) and promoting basic values of equality, self-determination and empowerment. The camps are free of charge with expenses such as transportation, meals, and supplies covered by the Centre. Impact and Outcomes Every year we ask women who use the Centre to fill out surveys to tell us how we are doing and how they feel about the Centre. In 2010 we received feedback from more than 700 women. The Centre achieved the following outcomes: • 98% of women felt safe and supported at the Women’s Centre. • 98% of women felt comfort and received validation. • 93% of women felt more in control, and knew the next step to take. • 94% of women felt more confident. • 81% of women became more acquainted with community resources, and used some of these resources. • 87% of women knew more about women’s issues. In 2010, we responded to: •62,290 contacts from women in need. 60% were made in person and 37% over the phone. •37,585 women came into the Women’s Centre last year, which is more than 160 women each day. In 2010, we served a diverse community of women: • 67% of women were single. • 57% were single parents. • 90% of women were dealing with poverty. • 94% of women self-identified as a minority woman. Testimonials In the 2010 outcome evaluation surveys, women included comments such as: “It is critical to have a place in our community that picks up people who fall through the cracks”. “So far the Women’s Centre has helped me with food and other items and with information. It’s helped make a difference by making life a little easier because I currently have no home or income at the moment and it gives me a place to go, think, and get stuff arranged.” “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.” “I love meeting the ladies that come from all walks of life. I get good laughs and comfort.” “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.” “I believe the Women’s Centre makes people better people. It helps women to gain confidence within them which enables them to do better and greater things, including helping others out and being more involved. This in turn helps the community out very much.” “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 gave me support in my life. They help people.” A special thanks to our volunteers 2010 Volunteers Adrien Caddick Andrew Aligizatcis Beatrice Deak Candace Schultz Agnes Benhalfa Andie WL Bernie Cook Carey O’Brien Aicha Haile Angela Foster Beth Tweedale Cari Gulbrandsen Alan Boykiw Angelica Castillo Beverly Frizzell Carol Joscelyn Alana Felker Angy Stimson Bev Norman Carol Liddle Alanna Loftus Anna Gomez Bev Noulett Carole Elliot Alby Lidguerre Anne Kleffner Bijal Dattani Carolina Dalgleish Alex Smith Anne Marie BJ Watson Carolyn Brown Alexa Grinevitch Bootsman Blair Mercer Carolyn North Ali Aboud Annie Fortin Brenda Doherty Peigan Allison McGinnis Annie Phillips Brett Paul Carolyn Simpson Allison Tobias April Blackmer Brian Sekiya Carrie Blaug Alvina Chiniquey April Brown Brianne Beddome Cat Schick Amanda