Reimagining pur Cities, March 12, 2024. Left to right: Shachi Kurl, Aftab Erfan, Ginger Gosnell-Myers, Rachael Segal, Andrea Reimer.

Contact Spring/Summer 2024

A Message from the CEO

As I approach my two-year milestone as CEO of YWCA Metro Vancouver, I am astonished at what we have accomplished, and by WE I am referring to the YWCA community – employees, board directors, volunteers, donors, partners, health and fitness members, hotel guests and program participants. The people at the heart of our work are courageously driven to make real impact in our communities.

One thing I am particularly proud of is our new Strategic Plan, released this past January. Creating this was truly a collective effort. We spent the better part of last year listening, understanding and revising what would eventually become Forward with Purpose, a five-year plan that asserts three goals for transformational outcomes.

Housing Update

NEW AFFORDABLE HOMES COMING TO HASTINGS-SUNRISE

As the housing and rental market continues to reach new heights of unaffordability, YWCA Metro Vancouver is moving quickly to build more deeply affordable homes for women and women parenting alone and their children.

Candace Knoll-Brown (centre) and members of the YWCA Racial Equity Committee

Equity Committees Updates

CELEBRATING BLACK HISTORY MONTH AND MORE

Guided by a new Strategic Plan, YWCA Metro Vancouver continues the internal work to progress inclusion, diversity, equity and accessibility (IDEA) in our daily work lives. There are many projects and initiatives underway, including exciting staff activities led by our three equity committees.

Truth & Reconciliation

WOMEN'S MEMORIAL MARCH

On February 14, YWCA Metro Vancouver employees marched in solidarity with families, friends, loved ones and community members in the 33rd annual Women’s Memorial March.

Reimagining pur Cities, March 12, 2024. Left to right: Michelle Eliot, Shachi Kurl, Aftab Erfan, Ginger Gosnell-Myers, Rachael Segal, Andrea Reimer.

Advocacy

REIMAGINING OUR CITIES

YWCA City Shift hosted its second Reimagining our Cities panel event. The event also marked the City Shift project’s official wrap-up, so guests were encouraged to engage with resources, ideas and interactive elements from the project.

Advocacy

CHILD CARE: AN ESSENTIAL SERVICE FOR FAMILIES

Accessible child care supports women and families, helps children thrive and strengthens the economy.

Governance

A UNIQUE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

The YWCA Board is comprised of 12 volunteer community leaders, who serve up to three two-year terms. Meet our newest director, Celeste Haldane.

Learn more

Programs

YWCA HEALTH CONNECT: ADVANCING HEALTHCARE CAREERS IN BC AND ONTARIO

YWCA Health Connect is a new employment program tailored for newcomer self-identified women pursuing healthcare credentials in BC and Ontario.

View of the YWCA building located at Dunsmuir and Burrard St (between 1910 and 1920), Uno Langmann Family Collection of BC Photographs, Rare Books and Special Collections, University of British Columbia Library - UL_1624_01_0220

Truth & Reconciliation

ARCHIVES PROJECT UPDATE

YWCA Metro Vancouver’s archives are stored in approximately 125 boxes, in a temperature-controlled room in the Rare Books and Special Collections department at UBC.

YWCA Health + Fitness

“KIAI!”

Pat has been a loyal YWCA Health + Fitness member since 1989. In this article, she shares her inspiring story of empowerment through Karate.

Legacy Giving

THE LEGACY COMMUNITY: DAYNA

Dayna’s appreciation for the work of YWCA Metro Vancouver goes all the way back to the ‘90s.

View or download the print version

Support our work

Donate now