YWCA Hotel: A Place to Stay, A Community to Build
At the YWCA Hotel in Vancouver, diversity is not just a buzzword. It is the heartbeat of our operation. A perfect example of this is the hotel’s housekeeping team, which is a tapestry of individuals from all corners of the globe, each bringing their own unique experiences and perspectives. One team member is Tetiana, a Housekeeping Attendant from Kharkiv, Ukraine.
Tetiana’s journey to Vancouver was anything but ordinary. After Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, her family was forced to flee from home in search of safety. Her journey to Canada was fraught with danger and uncertainty, yet she emerged resilient and grateful for the opportunity to start fresh in Vancouver.
"I really love this job," Tetiana shares. She speaks of the support and kindness she has received from her colleagues and the YWCA community. Tetiana has been working at the hotel for over a year, learning English on the job, and has since started taking online English classes to improve her skills.
Led by Leanne, the housekeeping team has 50 staff members from diverse backgrounds, including Ukraine, Afghanistan, Ghana, Iran and the Philippines. Morning team meetings often turn into cultural exchanges, with staff sharing music, food and stories.
Leanne has seen first-hand the impact of this diversity on the hotel’s operations. “Yes, we are here to work, but we are also here to help and support each other,” she said. Through patience, empathy and a deep commitment to understanding each other’s experiences, the YWCA Hotel has become more than just a workplace. It is a community.
We invite you to check out our newly refurbished lobby, designed to enhance guest and staff experience. Our ongoing efforts aim to generate revenue that supports YWCA’s 81 programs and services and creates employment opportunities within our community.
To book a stay or learn more about our social enterprise hotel visit ywcahotel.com or contact Barbara Lane, Hotel Director, at blane@ywcavan.org or 604 895 5833.
