For Immediate Release

YWCA HOSTS 2016 – 2017 REPORT TO COMMUNITY

CALGARY, June 20, 2017 –YWCA Calgary (YW) is proud to host its 106th Annual General Meeting and donor appreciation event today at 3:30 p.m. with a formal business meeting and awards presentations. The meeting will take place at Decidedly Jazz Danceworks, in traditional Blackfoot territory. The event celebrates the YWCA’s supporters, achievements, milestones and successes over the last year while outlining a vision for the future.

“There is a lot of excitement ahead for YW! With concrete plans for a new hub facility in Inglewood we are confident in our future and in our ability to support women and their families in our community to move from surviving to thriving,” says Sue Tomney, Chief Executive Officer of YW. “We will continue to boldly speak out on issues women face every day like abuse and bullying in politics, online harassment and ending violence against women.”

The 2016-2017 year was pivotal for YW. YW saw growth in programs to better support the needs of women, deepened rigour in measuring impact and demonstrating change; a new brand that represents the future-focused, women-centred organization YW is today; to signature YW fundraising events that exceeded expectations.

In 2016-2017, YW secured a site for the new YW Hub Facility along with the unique opportunity to be the first to contribute financially in the development of that site due to the legacy of landownership from past YW boards. YW is also able to establish a Sustainability Fund which will help the organization weather funding changes, economic instability and be innovative in piloting new service options that will best support the women and their families.

The new YW site was chosen with community in mind. After more than 30 years in the Inglewood community, YW recognized this was the best place to grow its presence. The new hub facility will invite the community in to help YW foster its connections and provide opportunities for understanding and support.

Last month, the Inglewood Community Association unanimously ratified the building plans and just last week the final milestone in the development work was met when the Calgary Planning Commission, also unanimously approved the YW Development Permit.

The changes and opportunities YW faced in 2016-2017 better enabled the organization to support women to gain control of their lives, achieve economic security and live free of violence. In 2016-2017, YW supported more than 6,800 unique individuals through programs that range from shelter and housing to counselling, language and employment services as well as parenting support and childcare.

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About YW Calgary:

YW Calgary is the largest and longest serving women’s organization in Calgary. For more than 106 years, we have focused on enhancing women’s safety and well-being while advocating for equity. In 2016, YW Calgary supported more than 6,800 Calgary women and families. Together with our donors, government and other social agencies, we provide shelter, supportive housing, counselling, child development, childcare, education and employment programs that help move women from crisis to stability.

Women-centred. Brighter-future focused.

ywcalgary.ca

For information please contact:

Carla Link

Manager, Marketing & Communications

YW Calgary

Cell: 587.228.8663 l Email: clink@ywcalgary.ca