YWCA of Calgary
Encyclopedia
The YWCA of Calgary celebrated its Centennial in 2010, marking 100 years of offering programs and services to women and their families, providing them with the skills, abilities and opportunities to contribute to, and benefit from, healthy communities.
Since 1910, more than 100,000 women, children and men in Calgary
have received support from the YWCA. The organization lists four pillars of service for their charitable work: Family Violence Prevention; Poverty
and Homelessness
Reduction; Child and Family Services; and Life and Wellness. The YWCA of Calgary works collaboratively to build a healthier community; in their words, "one which is peaceful, just, equitable, inclusive and sustainable."
YWCA Sheriff King Home is a 42-bed emergency shelter where abused women, with or without children, may stay up to a maximum of 21 days. Services include emergency shelter, supportive individual and group counselling, child support, community liaison follow-up support, basic needs, community referrals and advocacy. There is a walk-in counselling service and a 24-hour crisis line providing assistance to victims of family violence by trained shelter counsellors.
The YWCA of Calgary was the first organization in the community to establish a men’s counselling program, a model now adopted by other organizations locally and nationally.
Case Managers work alongside women to assist them in increasing their social, emotional and financial resources in order to support women in obtaining safe, permanent, affordable housing in the community. Women may stay for up to six months in the program, though the average length of stay is three to four months.
/YWCA Bright Lights Child Care Centre, the YWCA Child Care Centre at Bow Valley College
, and the YWCA Downtown Child Care Centre.
The YWCA of Calgary also offers Home and School Support Programs, Youth Advocate Programs and Family School Liaison Programs to help enhance family functioning and wellness.
Other educational programmes include English as a Second Language (ESL) Program Services, Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada, and Employment Skills workshops.
, Calgary Women's Shelter Network, Calgary Family Services, Calgary Chamber of Voluntary Organizations, the City of Calgary, and the Government of Alberta, among many others. The YWCA of Calgary is a Registered Charity.
1920s: The YWCA advocates Health Education in the public schools and the YWCA Banff
Chalet is built to provide holiday accommodation for working women.
1930s: The YWCA is operating Chalets in Banff
, Lake Louise
and Field
. Advocacy work continues as the YWCA works with other women’s organizations to fight discrimination. This includes petitioning Prime Minister R.B. Bennett and the provincial legislature on behalf of domestic workers for equal rights and fair pay.
1940s: Clubs are opened for women in the services, service wives, and women in industrial war jobs. The YWCA welcomes war brides. A “Rooms Registry” is established to find homes for returning servicemen and their wives.
1950s: The YWCA purchases 28 acres (113,312.1 m²) and establishes Camp Kinnaird in Sylvan Lake
and adds a swimming pool to its Calgary operation.
1960s: Y-teens advocate for proper sex education in the schools, swim classes for the physically and mentally disabled begin, and an “Indian Girls’ Club” is formed. The YWCA movement urges the Federal Government to provide income tax relief for working women who must provide care for children and other dependents.
1970s: A new facility is built at 320, 5th Avenue SE. A Women's Resource Centre is established and the first Women of the Year Awards are hosted with Margaret Atwood
as guest speaker. A health club is opened for women.
1980s: The YWCA opens a Support Centre and the Sheriff King Home for abused women and children. The Lifeprints program is launched, working with teens on the importance of life and career planning. The Calgary Business College is created in partnership with the Federal Government to train women who are unemployed, under-employed or relying on welfare. The YWCA acquires the Mineral Springs Hospital site (Banff YWCA) and expands in its new location.
1990s: Counselling groups for children who have witnessed or experienced abuse are added to the Support Centre program, and the first program for men who are abusive is initiated. Women’s Employment Counselling Services is opened to assist 500 women annually with employment and career issues. The YWCA enters into a joint venture with Calgary Housing Authority by opening Langin Place, a 56-unit housing project for hard-to-house women.
$6 million is raised and invested to expand/improve the 5th Avenue location. A collaborative project (Safe Haven) for girls involved or at risk of becoming involved in prostitution is launched. A new Child Care facility is opened. Employment-specific programs are added for women dealing with abuse issues, and the YWCA and SAIT partner to offer a construction training program for women wishing to enter the building trades (The Women's Trade Centre). The “YWCA Body & Soul Centre” changes its name to “Fitness on 5th,” and the Board of Directors’ Social Issues Committee focuses on raising SFI rates for low-income women and families in Alberta
. By the close of the decade, the YWCA has parted with The Women's Resource Centre, Langin Place, and the Banff YWCA.
2000s: The YWCA completes two major renovation and expansion projects: YWCA Mary Dover House (transitional and emergency housing) and the YWCA Sheriff King Home (violence prevention programming and crisis shelter). Extensive Board and staff work around the organization's new Strategic Direction results in the sale of Camp Kinnaird and the closure of the Women of Distinction Awards. The YWCA begins a new partnership with the Global Television Network
to jointly present Woman of Vision.
2010 to present: In 2010, the YWCA of Calgary celebrates its centennial. 2010 also saw the YWCA of Calgary win the Enbridge
Volunteer Calgary
award for Leadership in Volunteer Engagement, and for the first time in their 100-year history, the YWCA of Calgary enters a float in the Calgary Stampede
.
Since 1910, more than 100,000 women, children and men in Calgary
Calgary
Calgary is a city in the Province of Alberta, Canada. It is located in the south of the province, in an area of foothills and prairie, approximately east of the front ranges of the Canadian Rockies...
have received support from the YWCA. The organization lists four pillars of service for their charitable work: Family Violence Prevention; Poverty
Poverty
Poverty is the lack of a certain amount of material possessions or money. Absolute poverty or destitution is inability to afford basic human needs, which commonly includes clean and fresh water, nutrition, health care, education, clothing and shelter. About 1.7 billion people are estimated to live...
and Homelessness
Homelessness
Homelessness describes the condition of people without a regular dwelling. People who are homeless are unable or unwilling to acquire and maintain regular, safe, and adequate housing, or lack "fixed, regular, and adequate night-time residence." The legal definition of "homeless" varies from country...
Reduction; Child and Family Services; and Life and Wellness. The YWCA of Calgary works collaboratively to build a healthier community; in their words, "one which is peaceful, just, equitable, inclusive and sustainable."
Services
Among its major operations, the YWCA of Calgary runs a transitional housing facility, an emergency shelter, a skills training centre, educational programs for new Canadians, several childcare facilities and a fitness facility.YWCA Sheriff King Home
The YWCA of Calgary believes that helping women, children and men create paths of change away from chaos and abuse -- regardless of their role in the family violence. They focus on promoting healing and supporting clients making positive changes that facilitate recovery and wellness, with the priority being safety for all members of the family.YWCA Sheriff King Home is a 42-bed emergency shelter where abused women, with or without children, may stay up to a maximum of 21 days. Services include emergency shelter, supportive individual and group counselling, child support, community liaison follow-up support, basic needs, community referrals and advocacy. There is a walk-in counselling service and a 24-hour crisis line providing assistance to victims of family violence by trained shelter counsellors.
The YWCA of Calgary was the first organization in the community to establish a men’s counselling program, a model now adopted by other organizations locally and nationally.
YWCA Mary Dover House
YWCA Mary Dover House is a 100-bed temporary housing facility that offers safe, affordable, and supportive housing to women and children in times of crisis or transition. It includes on-site counselling and support for women and children, along with referrals and advocacy in an environment conducive to positive change.Case Managers work alongside women to assist them in increasing their social, emotional and financial resources in order to support women in obtaining safe, permanent, affordable housing in the community. Women may stay for up to six months in the program, though the average length of stay is three to four months.
Vermilion Energy/YWCA Skills Training Centre
The Vermilion Energy/YWCA Skills Training Centre is a pre-employment/pre-apprenticeship training program administered through a partnership between Vermilion Energy and the YWCA of Calgary. It seeks to help underemployed or unemployed women achieve independence and financial sustainability through trades training and career success in the construction industry.YWCA Fitness on 5th
The YWCA of Calgary offers a 45000 square feet (4,180.6 m²) fitness facility with cardio, weight, balance and functional training equipment, squash courts, yoga, personal training, massage therapy, physiotherapy and chiropractic care.YWCA of Calgary Childcare Facilities
The YWCA of Calgary offers several childcare facilities throughout the city, including the EnmaxENMAX
ENMAX Corporation is a vertically integrated utility that provides electricity, natural gas, renewable energy and value-added services to its customers.-Overview:...
/YWCA Bright Lights Child Care Centre, the YWCA Child Care Centre at Bow Valley College
Bow Valley College
Bow Valley College is a public college, with its main campus located in Downtown Calgary, Alberta, Canada. The enabling legislation is the Post-secondary Learning Act The branch campuses are: Airdrie, Banff, Blairmore, Brooks, Canmore, Cardston, Claresholm, Cochrane, Drumheller, Eden Valley, High...
, and the YWCA Downtown Child Care Centre.
Programs
The YWCA of Calgary also offers a host of programs throughout the city to a wide-range of community members. Offerings include Family Violence Programming for Children and Adolescents who have been exposed to family violence, Family Violence Programming for Parents and Families affected by family violence and Counselling services.The YWCA of Calgary also offers Home and School Support Programs, Youth Advocate Programs and Family School Liaison Programs to help enhance family functioning and wellness.
Other educational programmes include English as a Second Language (ESL) Program Services, Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada, and Employment Skills workshops.
Working in Partnership
The YWCA of Calgary works in close partnership with several other agencies, including Calgary Police ServiceCalgary Police Service
Calgary Police Service, formed in 1885, is the municipal police force for the City of Calgary, Alberta.- Organization :Founded in 1885, the current head of the CPS is Chief Rick Hanson...
, Calgary Women's Shelter Network, Calgary Family Services, Calgary Chamber of Voluntary Organizations, the City of Calgary, and the Government of Alberta, among many others. The YWCA of Calgary is a Registered Charity.
History
1910s: The YWCA Travellers' Aid is formed, English instruction begins for “foreigners,” and legislature is petitioned for a minimum wage of $12/week for working women.1920s: The YWCA advocates Health Education in the public schools and the YWCA Banff
Banff, Alberta
Banff is a town within Banff National Park in Alberta, Canada. It is located in Alberta's Rockies along the Trans-Canada Highway, approximately west of Calgary and east of Lake Louise....
Chalet is built to provide holiday accommodation for working women.
1930s: The YWCA is operating Chalets in Banff
Banff, Alberta
Banff is a town within Banff National Park in Alberta, Canada. It is located in Alberta's Rockies along the Trans-Canada Highway, approximately west of Calgary and east of Lake Louise....
, Lake Louise
Lake Louise
-Canada:*Lake Louise , a lake in Alberta, Canada*Lake Louise, Alberta, a hamlet which takes its name from the lake**Chateau Lake Louise, hotel in Alberta, Canada, one of Canada's Grand Railway Resorts...
and Field
Field
-Places:* Field, British Columbia, Canada* Field, Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States* Field, Ontario, Canada* Field Island, Nunavut, Canada* Mount Field - Expanses of open ground :* Field...
. Advocacy work continues as the YWCA works with other women’s organizations to fight discrimination. This includes petitioning Prime Minister R.B. Bennett and the provincial legislature on behalf of domestic workers for equal rights and fair pay.
1940s: Clubs are opened for women in the services, service wives, and women in industrial war jobs. The YWCA welcomes war brides. A “Rooms Registry” is established to find homes for returning servicemen and their wives.
1950s: The YWCA purchases 28 acres (113,312.1 m²) and establishes Camp Kinnaird in Sylvan Lake
Sylvan Lake
Sylvan Lake can refer to:Communities* Sylvan Lake, Alberta, Canada* Sylvan Lake, Michigan, United States* Sylvan Lake, New York, United StatesLakes* Sylvan Lake , Canada* Sylvan Lake , United States...
and adds a swimming pool to its Calgary operation.
1960s: Y-teens advocate for proper sex education in the schools, swim classes for the physically and mentally disabled begin, and an “Indian Girls’ Club” is formed. The YWCA movement urges the Federal Government to provide income tax relief for working women who must provide care for children and other dependents.
1970s: A new facility is built at 320, 5th Avenue SE. A Women's Resource Centre is established and the first Women of the Year Awards are hosted with Margaret Atwood
Margaret Atwood
Margaret Eleanor Atwood, is a Canadian poet, novelist, literary critic, essayist, and environmental activist. She is among the most-honoured authors of fiction in recent history; she is a winner of the Arthur C...
as guest speaker. A health club is opened for women.
1980s: The YWCA opens a Support Centre and the Sheriff King Home for abused women and children. The Lifeprints program is launched, working with teens on the importance of life and career planning. The Calgary Business College is created in partnership with the Federal Government to train women who are unemployed, under-employed or relying on welfare. The YWCA acquires the Mineral Springs Hospital site (Banff YWCA) and expands in its new location.
1990s: Counselling groups for children who have witnessed or experienced abuse are added to the Support Centre program, and the first program for men who are abusive is initiated. Women’s Employment Counselling Services is opened to assist 500 women annually with employment and career issues. The YWCA enters into a joint venture with Calgary Housing Authority by opening Langin Place, a 56-unit housing project for hard-to-house women.
$6 million is raised and invested to expand/improve the 5th Avenue location. A collaborative project (Safe Haven) for girls involved or at risk of becoming involved in prostitution is launched. A new Child Care facility is opened. Employment-specific programs are added for women dealing with abuse issues, and the YWCA and SAIT partner to offer a construction training program for women wishing to enter the building trades (The Women's Trade Centre). The “YWCA Body & Soul Centre” changes its name to “Fitness on 5th,” and the Board of Directors’ Social Issues Committee focuses on raising SFI rates for low-income women and families in Alberta
Alberta
Alberta is a province of Canada. It had an estimated population of 3.7 million in 2010 making it the most populous of Canada's three prairie provinces...
. By the close of the decade, the YWCA has parted with The Women's Resource Centre, Langin Place, and the Banff YWCA.
2000s: The YWCA completes two major renovation and expansion projects: YWCA Mary Dover House (transitional and emergency housing) and the YWCA Sheriff King Home (violence prevention programming and crisis shelter). Extensive Board and staff work around the organization's new Strategic Direction results in the sale of Camp Kinnaird and the closure of the Women of Distinction Awards. The YWCA begins a new partnership with the Global Television Network
Global Television Network
Global Television Network is an English language privately owned television network in Canada, owned by Calgary-based Shaw Communications, as part of its Shaw Media division...
to jointly present Woman of Vision.
2010 to present: In 2010, the YWCA of Calgary celebrates its centennial. 2010 also saw the YWCA of Calgary win the Enbridge
Enbridge
Enbridge Inc. is a Calgary, Alberta based company focused on three core businesses: crude oil and liquids pipelines, natural gas transportation and distribution, and green energy. The company has approximately 6,000 employees, mostly in Canada and the United States...
Volunteer Calgary
Volunteer Calgary
Volunteer Calgary is a volunteer center based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. The main role of this volunteer center is to provide service to the non-profit community in Calgary and help to promote and encourage volunteerism in the city....
award for Leadership in Volunteer Engagement, and for the first time in their 100-year history, the YWCA of Calgary enters a float in the Calgary Stampede
Calgary Stampede
The Calgary Stampede is an annual rodeo, exhibition and festival held every July in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. The ten-day event, which bills itself as "The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth", attracts over one million visitors per year and features one of the world's largest rodeos, a parade, midway,...
.
See also
- World YWCAWorld YWCAThe World YWCA is the umbrella organization of the global network of the YWCA, a movement of women working for social and economic change around the world. It advocates for young women’s leadership, peace, justice, human rights and sustainable development, both on a grassroots and global scale...
- YWCA USA
- Young Women's Christian Association (disambiguation)
- Calgary Women's Emergency ShelterCalgary women's emergency shelterCalgary Women's Emergency Shelter was established in Calgary in 1974. In 2009, the Calgary Women’s Emergency Shelter marks 35 years supporting over 100,000 Calgarians on their journeys towards lives free of domestic abuse...
- Volunteer CalgaryVolunteer CalgaryVolunteer Calgary is a volunteer center based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. The main role of this volunteer center is to provide service to the non-profit community in Calgary and help to promote and encourage volunteerism in the city....