Celebrating Community, Culture and Change: Highlights from Our Equity Committees
We’re excited to share some recent milestones and memorable moments from our Equity Committees: Truth and Reconciliation, Racial Equity, Gender Inclusion and Accessibility. Together, these committees help us live out our values and advance inclusion, diversity, equity and accessibility (IDEA) across the organization.
In the spring, we celebrated Asian Heritage Month with a heartwarming and tasty celebration, “Dumplings and Community.” This dumpling-making workshop at YWCA Crabtree Corner was more than just a culinary event, it was an opportunity to share culture, stories and connection through food.
And speaking of food, the Racial Equity Committee’s annual Cultural Feast brought YWCA colleagues together once again to enjoy dishes that reflect the rich cultural diversity of our teams and communities. Food continues to be one of our favourite ways to build bridges and foster belonging!
Another standout moment this year came courtesy of our Gender Inclusion Committee, who helped lead us to an organizational milestone—our very first time marching in the Vancouver Pride Parade! For many, especially newcomers who haven’t had the chance to celebrate Pride in their countries of origin, it was a powerful and joyful experience to show up in a space that affirms identity, rights and community.
We also hosted our first-ever Pride Festival—with a queer vendor market, gender-affirming care giveaway, engaging information sessions from local 2SLGBTQIA+ organizations and an incredible drag and spoken word performances.
In September, the Truth and Reconciliation Committee hosted an incredibly meaningful evening at our annual Rhythms of Resilience event, which you can read about here.
We’re also thrilled to share that the YCWA Accessibility Committee has officially launched! The Accessibility Committee will play a key role in shaping a safer, more inclusive and more equitable work environment for employees, program participants and guests.
There’s so much to celebrate, and it’s even more meaningful when we come together—in community, in action and in pursuit of a more equitable future.
For more information about YWCA IDEA policies and work, contact Tamara Robertson-Fry at trobertsonfry@ywcavan.org or 604 895 5860.
