YWCA Presents of Peace

1) Create your online profile here. 

2) Choose your family size*: 

• Your budget to purchase gifts and a grocery gift card for your family 
• The size and number of families you would like to sponsor 
• Preferred YWCA program and city of residence of your sponsorship family 

* All efforts are made to accommodate your requests. However, depending on the greatest need we may offer you an alternative family. We will always stay within your maximum budget.  

* YWCA Strive is a program that supports youth who are transitioning out of care (government care, foster or group home, youth agreement)

* Crabtree Corner Knowledge Keepers are senior women who live in the Downtown Eastside and participate in programs at YWCA Crabtree Corner.

3) You will receive a confirmation email within two business days once you have registered. 

4) Families and sponsors will be matched beginning November 10th. We will send you an email as soon as you have been matched. Please keep an eye on your junk/spam inbox for an email from pop@ywcavan.org. You can then log in to your account to find your family’s wish list and contact information. 

5) We encourage you to contact your families early and arrange delivery by December 5th. We will share our updated safety protocols for safe delivery in your confirmation email. Please deliver your hamper to the family’s requested location no later than December 15th. 

Some families may be comfortable inviting you into their home and others may not, please be sensitive to the family’s requests.

Please do not take photos of families without their consent. 

Please keep these YWCA principles in mind when interacting with our program participants: 

• We create a safe space for program participants, staff and external stakeholders: as an organization, we are committed to creating an environment that supports, respects and is safe and inclusive for all. We ask that sponsors and donors who participate in our programs demonstrate these same principles and values.  
• We are sensitive to power imbalances: be mindful of privilege and how this may show up in your interactions with families to avoid perpetuating further harm.
• We respect program participants’ right to access our services on their own terms: we strive to centre the voices and experiences of our program participants and be respectful of their self-identified needs and wishes.  
• We do not reinforce harmful stereotypes: be conscious of over-generalizing any preconceived ideas you may have about families and program participants as these are often rooted in misconceptions and negative stereotypes.
• We practice mindfulness and self-reflection: We all have implicit bias; however we have the ability to work on ourselves and keep these personal biases in check. When interacting with families and program participants, treat them with the openness and lack of judgment they deserve.