YWCA Metro Vancouver

Every year, the YWCA Presents of Peace holiday hamper program supports hundreds of single-mother-led families, youth aging out of foster care and senior women living in the Downtown Eastside who are part of YWCA programs. 85 families are still waiting to be matched with a sponsor, especially in Surrey, Coquitlam, Burnaby, New Westminster and Langley. For many, purchasing holiday gifts and essentials is simply out of reach. With your help, we can bring hope and joy to these families during a challenging time. Make this holiday season brighter by signing up to become a sponsor now: https://lnkd.in/dygvPzmh

From now until December 3, your gift will be doubled! Thanks to our matching donors, you can help many more families access critical supports such as food programs, affordable housing for mothers parenting alone, free legal services, employment programs, youth mentorship and much, much more. Double your impact now: https://lnkd.in/gcN-BiSi With heartfelt thanks to our generous matching donors: Andrew Mahon Foundation and Fengate Asset Management, The Geoff & Jolene Funke Foundation and Pooni Group

Our "Close to Home" campaign was recently featured by CTV News. The campaign highlights an uncomfortable truth: gender-based violence is everywhere—and closer to home than many British Columbians realize. Join us in taking action. Visit our campaign homepage and add your voice to declare gender-based violence an epidemic in BC. https://lnkd.in/gZAU9bCd

Gender-based violence (GBV) is not an isolated issue—it’s happening in our own communities. During the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, YWCA Metro Vancouver has launched Close to Home, a powerful campaign revealing the number of reported sexual assaults within a 10-block radius across Vancouver. We, along with a community of advocates, are calling on the BC government to declare gender-based violence an epidemic—a crucial step toward raising awareness, improving survivor support and driving systemic change.  How you can help: 👉 Add your voice to our open letter: ywcavan.org/hiddenepidemic  👉 Write to your MLA and demand action  👉 Share this message to amplify the movement  Together, we can create safer communities for everyone. 

We’re grateful to partner with Gore Mutual Insurance for a second year in support of our YWCA Rooftop Garden. Their generous grant helps us grow fresh, nourishing produce, strengthening food security for the families we serve at YWCA Crabtree Corner. Thank you, Gore Mutual, for helping us plant seeds of resilience and hope!   #Insurancethatdoesgood

BC’s Office of the Human Rights Commissioner looked at the conditions of the child welfare system in its snapshot of human rights in the province. The report, which was released this summer, identified inadequate staffing as one of the “most significant” issues in BC’s child welfare system. In our work to keep families together, YWCA Metro Vancouver will take guidance from parents and caregivers, Elders, Nations, communities and allied organizations to help transform the child welfare system in BC. Read the full report from BCOHRC at bchumanrights.ca/in-focus

We had an incredible evening with supporters at YWCA Career Zone last night, learning more about the impactful programs being offered to youth, including Gear Up, Off the Leash and Strive. We heard from program facilitators, were treated to a tire change demonstration and heard an incredible story from a Gear Up graduate. Youth unemployment in Canada is at its highest level in a decade, excluding the COVID-19 pandemic. In fact, this past June, the unemployment rate for youth aged 15 to 24 reached 13.5%. This is much higher than the national average for all ages, which is 6.4%. This is why programs like those running out of Career Zone are so crucial. Supporting programs like Gear Up, Strive and Off the Leash, helps equip youth with skills, training, certifications and employer connections. Donate today and help local youth build brighter futures: https://lnkd.in/grbTsEv3

We’re deeply grateful to the Canucks for Kids Fund for their remarkable $35,000 grant in support of our YWCA Crabtree Corner Early Learning and Child Care Centre! For 17 years, their generosity has helped us provide essential care and learning opportunities for families in our community. This year’s gift is the largest single donation they’ve ever made to YWCA Metro Vancouver and it will have an incredible impact on the children and families we support. Thank you, Canucks Sports & Entertainment (CSE), for being such a longstanding partner in building brighter futures.

Join our community of supporters at the Career Zone tomorrow to learn more about YWCA's programs and supports for young job seekers.

We're proud to see our mentorship program fostering such growth and connection, both professionally and personally. It’s stories like Jwan A.'s that showcase the power of supportive relationships and community in building future leaders.