#INTEGRATION #PARTICIPATION #WELL-BEING #STABILITY #RESILIENCE #LEADERSHIP #AUTONOMY #BELONGING Cyn ne • thia isa • L u iss o a • L K • arla • Si ophia • Lau- ia mona • S in v a L • ca • Vic ni ky i o • J yr l r in y • The rie • Fr a e –W am an p V en F ço e • s • is e R ri • D ol ilo S • Srid an D té ica evi • de • p ss • a • Y uda h e Od ib aling • H a J ia H n • • Hannah • ie ie m • é D o a N r • in e a • jw V a TRANS- e N ira • GENDER • li L Ne uce • tte ou • Martine • L MEN WOMEN NATIVE ELDERLY GIRLS RESPECT COMMUNITY EMPLOYABILITY HOUSING YOUTH BOYS LISTENING IMMIGRANTS HOMLESS EMPLOYMENT HOUSING A BETTER FUTURE FOR WOMEN, #INCLUSION #SECURITY #EQUALITY GIRLS AND THEIR FAMILIES This annual report can also be viewed online at ra2018.ydesfemmesmtl.org/en This annual report covers the period of July 1, 2017 to June 30, 2018 and was submitted at the Annual General Meeting of members on September 27, 2018. ©YWCA Montreal & Women’s Y Foundation, 2018 • Legal deposit – Bibliothèque nationale du Québec • ISBN – 978-2-923046-47-1 ANNUAL RAPPORT 2017-2018 of YWCA Montreal and the Women's Y Fondation Conception : YWCA Montreal Communications Department •Graphic design : Le Poulpe • Printing : The Quadriscan group 1355, RENÉ-LÉVESQUE BLVD WEST, MONTREAL (QUEBEC) H3G 1T3 • Tel. : 514 866-9941 • Fax : 514 866-4866 @YWCA.Montreal #YWCA_mtl ydesfemmesmtl.org l Annual Report 2017-2018 l Annual Report B C C The YWCA organization is funded by Centraide a • Kamila • Kathy Sara ssen • Zohra • Sandee • Elsa • • Ou pa • Per Maud wn a mila • e • • Da Eri ng ka Xia • J le • oA Sau n te • n • ime Z • Krista • Kel • Mane aya • e • K ea a yan ary l • • M Mariliz n liy e • N Li du • Se ta You a • sa l nait • Na ng– arian e hui • iamM • W Euloge • Mar L • e a sl s ie lis • E Z • ul a eic Esr TRANSITION, CHANGE, EVOLUTION... STRENGTHENED BY OUR PAST a • Erin– SUCCESSES AND MOTIVATED BY THE STEADFAST DESIRE TO CREATE A MORE JUST SOCIETY FOR WOMEN, GIRLS AND THEIR FAMILIES, THIS PAST YEAR AT THE YWCA MONTREAL HAS BEEN MARKED BY The Too Big a Prize for Women and ACTIVE TRANSITION! Girls campaing, to prevent and raise awareness about sexual exploitation The volunteers at the Legal during major international events Information Clinic received the was a great success. The campaign AN IMPROVED MISSION Solidaires - Citizen Involvement was actively shared on social media award from Centraide of Greater popular among youth. Adopted last December, our 2018-2021 strategic plan is called “Giving Voice to Women and Montreal. This award highlights the Girls”. It builds upon three major cornerstones of development: innovation, visibility and long- volunteer team’s commitment to fight term viability. The concept of family is now officially integrated into our mission, reflecting its MESSAGE the Chair and Chief Executive from of the YMCA Montreal Officer poverty and exclusion. importance for a majority of women, a fundamental element to be taken into consideration when working with them to build a better future. A recent study indicates that 38% of child- ren between the ages of 0 and 17 in the borough of Ville-Marie live in a state of poverty, which serves to confirm the importance of providing the most vulnerable families with access to our activities and services. INCREASING VISIBILITY TO PROMOTE CHANGE One of the highlights of the year was our participation in the first YWCA Canada Day of Action on Parliament Hill in Ottawa. Close to 100 women from YWCAs across the nation met with elec- ted officials to raise awareness of the importance of setting aside projects that meet the specific needs of women and girls within the context of the National Housing Strategy. In accordance with our proposal, this strategy has now planned to devote at least 25% of these projects to the needs of women and girls. This is a major achievement that fuels our sense of pride in being a part of this great movement. We actively participated to the first YWCA Canada MÉLANIE THIVIERGE This past year was filled with initiatives in defence of rights, as evidenced by our active participa- Day of Action on Parliament Hill in Ottawa. Chief Executive Officer tion in the “12 Days of Action to Eliminate all Forms of Violence Against Women” campaign; the YWCA Montreal This action day was to raise awareness among publication of an open letter addressed to the Prime Minister of Canada challenging the Liberal members of parliament about the importance of Party of Canada’s adoption of a resolution to decriminalize consensual sex workers, a press confe- reserving funds of the National Housing Strategy rence to condemn sexual assault in schools and the launch of a powerful social media campaign specifically allowed for women’s needs and their to prevent sexual exploitation of young girls during major events such as the Formula 1 Grand Prix. homelessness. 1855 Defending the rights of women and girls is more vital than ever before and will continue to be our focus over the years to come. First YWCA opens in England WOMEN OF HEART AND ACTION We would like to take this opportunity to thank Hélène Lépine, who left her position as CEO of the organization at the 1875 RECOGNITION end of 2017. Over the course of her six years at the head of the YWCA, Hélène Lépine contributed extensively to the orga- YWCA of Montreal The level of innovation and excellence demonstrated in our programs and nization’s stability and created new windows of opportunity. In short, Hélène left behind a house in order, ready to take services has been acknowledged more than once over the past months. on the future. On behalf of the Board of Directors, the Management Team and all employees, we would like to express 1952 They include, the Solidaire - Citizen Involvement, award, presented by our heartfelt gratitude for her energetic commitment as the head of our organization. We wish you all the best in your Relocation to Centraide to the team of volunteers at our Legal Information Clinic, the retirement, Hélène! 1355 René-Lévesque Boomerang award - Digital Campaign for the Je mets mes culottes cam- Blvd. West paign, implemented by DDB Canada; as well as the 2018 Recognition We would also like to publicly acknowledge the extraordinary work and commitment of Rachel Auger, who has devoted award bestowed by Alliance des centres-conseils en emploi (AXTRA) more than 20 years volunteering on our board of directors; much of this time in the capacity of treasurer. Her commit- 2000 to Antonella Talarico, our employability programs coordinator, to ment, her expertise and her confidence in the ability of our organization to continue to move forward, despite constraints, “Y des femmes de acknowledge her exceptional commitment and contributions. LOUISE POIRIER were much valued and even reassuring during its most critical moments. Sylvianne Chaput, Martine Coulombe and Camille Montréal” becomes Chair of the Board of Isaacs Morell have also ended their time with us. They shared their vision and their strategic thinking, and their contribu- our new name Directors YWCA Montreal tions were most valued. KEY PROJECTS 2012 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The YWCA has As with many non-profit organizations, the financial situation of YWCA a green roof Montreal, is an on-going concern and we continue to closely monitor The YWCA Montreal consists of a team of approximately 80 professional and committed women (and a few men!) as our budget. We have started to explore other potential sources of reve- well as close to 400 multi-talented volunteers; it also consists of a board of directors made up of remarkable, involved 2013 nue and have also begun the process of assessing our premises (built women, fabulous ambassadors in their respective fields; it’s also a Foundation that manifests such creativity in support The YWCA receives in 1952), which should lead to the construction of a new building. The of our mission; it’s a network of partners, of funders, of donors and allies, without whom our activities would not be met the Korn/Ferry– building is a crucial resource that will ensure the long-term viability of with such resounding success. To all those who have made the YWCA what it is today, who support us, who believe in l Annual Report 2017-2018 l Annual Report l Annual Report 2017-2018 l Annual Report Les Affaires Award the YWCA the power and relevance of our actions and who stand behind this great dream of a just and egalitarian society where no 02 for excellence in permitting us to improve the development and delivery of 03 corporate governance our services so as to increase their impact. girl or woman is left behind, we would like to express a sincere THANK YOU. • D e s p o in a • S oo nth ong • Jean ine • M a m is e A YEAR MARKED BY THE DEVELOPMENT OF PROMISING ALLIANCES, • S BY THE CONSOLIDATION OF OUR FUNDRAISING ACTIVITIES AND BY h e 34 runners raised more than e INCREASED VISIBILITY. t $20,000 to support YWCA programs. a l • J e a n PARTNERSHIPS AND STRATEGIC ALLIANCES n e The second My Bag is Yours! campaign, held – With the aim of developing strategic partnerships, we reached an agreement with the Lise N in collaboration with YWCA QUEBEC, was a Watier Foundation that allows the YWCA to offer thes’Entreprendre program.