YWCA CALGARY 2014-15 ANNUAL REPORT INTERVENE | EMPOWER | LEAD SHE IS SHE IS SOMEONE LETTER FROM THE CEO SHE IS SOMEONE The YWCA of Calgary is the largest and longest She likes to get up before the sun rises. This is serving women’s organization in the city. In order her time to reflect, to plan, to dream. She likes to best support women for more than 104 years, her coffee strong, just like her. She peeks as well as be responsive to the changing needs outside, jacket or no jacket? Definitely bring of the community, the YWCA has been and must a jacket. Her day is busy. First stop is an remain nimble in service provision and business appointment with her counsellor to talk about practices. how she’s feeling, help process past trauma, and to make sure she’s accessing her support Much of the 2014-2015 year has been focused on “Because of the YWCA, I feel safe, protected network. Then, it’s time to focus on her language ensuring the YWCA’s mission and vision remain at and job skills to create a sustainable future. the forefront of all we do and sustain us through and supported” ~ Chris Throughout, she’ll be thinking about finding a the challenging economic times that often impact safe, permanent place to live. She wants that our city and province. The organization continues more than anything. A place of her own. Her to proactively refine strategy that opens doors own kitchen table where she can pull out a chair for vulnerable women and connect them with for a new friend to join her over a dinner she the supports and services they need. made in her own oven. Her own bedding chosen in purple, her favourite colour and her own As a catalyst in the city with the ability and inten- shower, oh, her own shower. A place to put her tion to impact systemic change on issues related to photos, maybe even a vase to hold her favourite equity, poverty, homelessness and family violence, flowers. A space to call her own; the opportunity we speak up for those who cannot. Embedded to contribute to community. Fundamental human societal issues will not change overnight, but by rights because she is someone. working together with our community partners on projects like the Plan to End Homelessness and Enough for All Poverty Reduction Strategy, She is between 18 and 81 years of age and is we can address core barriers and move forward usually single, widowed or divorced. She is often to a place where women can thrive in a safe and Aboriginal or new to Canada and struggling with equitable community. a language barrier. Last year the YWCA spoke out on many issues She is brave. Last year, she was one of the 1,348 that impact the women we support. One that women and 284 children who stayed at least one garnered a great deal of interaction on social media night in a YWCA emergency shelter or transi- and within the community was the discussion of tional housing program. She knows what it’s like affordable housing, specifically the legalization to be afraid, alone and struggling with trauma. of secondary suites. The YWCA, along with many other organizations advocated with City Council She is resilient. She is likely among the nearly to remind them of the 200 women who, on any 48 per cent of women at the YWCA in 2014 who given night, sleep in a YWCA shelter or housing were unemployed or underemployed and the program, due to the barriers women face in 75 per cent who had an income of less than accessing safe, affordable housing in Calgary. $25,000 annually before tax. She likely needs more education and training to access stable There will be many more opportunities to engage employment. in the issues at hand, connect with community partners as well as with our donors as we She is hopeful. In the past year, she and 1,572 other continue to raise funds to provide services and learners accessed language and employment skills supports to women and families in need and training for new Canadians and women struggling advocate to change our community for the better. with unemployment and underemployment. Thank you for your ongoing connection to the She is powerful. In 2014, 8,346 women and their YWCA and your dedication to helping us intervene, family members accessed at least one of the empower and lead when and where women BOARD OF DIRECTORS YWCA MISSION YWCA’s 18 programs. Beginning their transition need us most. Patricia McLeod, QC, Board Chair Georgine Ulmer To intervene, empower and lead when from crisis, vulnerability and need towards Jana Taylor, Vice Chair Nancy Foster and where women need us most. stability, empowerment and resilience. Julie Watkins, Vice Chair Mona Jasinski Rebecca Morley, Treasurer Elaine Wong Kate Fischer, Secretary Amie Blanchette YWCA VISION Sue Tomney Kate Thompson Kim Connell Women thriving in a safe and equitable Chief Executive Officer, YWCA of Calgary Lorraine McVean Sue Tomney, Ex Officio Member, community. Kate Gollogly CEO YWCA of Calgary 2| YWCA OF CALGARY INTERVENE | EMPOWER | LEAD | 2014-15 ANNUAL REPORT |3 SHE IS BRAVE “Homelessness is a symptom The YWCA, as a catalyst in of pain and trauma; Magda a city sensitive to the real is proof that if you can needs of women, has been overcome pain, you will be providing programs and successful.” ~ YWCA employee services to vulnerable women and their families Many women remain locked in a cycle of abuse because they have nowhere to go. The YWCA for 104 years. We continually Sheriff King Home emergency shelter is a haven for women and their children who are fleeing adapt our operating models family violence. The shelter provides basic needs including food and personal items, as well as to meet the needs of women, on-site counselling, and support to connect clients to resources for housing, legal services, and the community, when and education opportunities. The goal of the YWCA Sheriff King Home emergency shelter is to and where they need us provide safety and security and establish a transition plan to ensure the family can develop most. healthy relationships and live safely in the community. At the YWCA, those who are vulnerable are able to access an array of services and supports they need from within a single organization. This means The Need. In 2014, YWCA emergency shelter saw women and their families are able to quickly the length of stay increase by 21 per cent over understand and explore options available to 2013. The same year, YWCA Mary Dover House them that best fit their current needs. transitional housing program saw the length of stay increase by 37 per cent over 2013. In 2014, the YWCA’s extensive service offering, covering emergency shelter, housing, counselling and skill development supported more than 8,300 women and their family members. At the YWCA, we embrace and value the views and experiences women and their families bring to our community. We believe good citizenry is comprised of a diverse range of individuals who feel they have opportunities to connect in the Magda community and are empowered to make healthy When s choices. he was fat little, sh her’s aft e loved t ershave. he smel as a nu As a yo l of her As an advocate for every woman to thrive in a rse, she ung wom th adored an, emp gr e small c the high loyed ief when safe and equitable community, the YWCA works hildren -pitched her gran a gran she care giggle o memb dson wa diligently to abolish vulnerability by addressing dmother d for. As f er. 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To esca r but vulnera he was they require less public funding for basic human he marr pe her m ble. purpose now is to take care of others, so I just 1 ied and l other’s Mag 4. eft home da escap needs, social programs and health-related issues. when sh t ed; again e was hrough t . This tim he door e, she can see my grandson in their eyes.” ~ Magda Years emerg of the YW walked later, aft ency shel CA Sherif w er marr H ter and f King Ho orking ying, Ma ouse tran then to t me with chil gda beca sitional h he YWCA deep dren. Sh me a nu ousing pr Mary Dov ly and af e loved a rse ogram.