November 11 2022

I can’t even tell you how heartbreaking it was to realize we no longer had a home. I was so scared because I didn’t want to end up on the streets. That wasn’t an option, not while I was supporting my 3 young children.

February 11 2022

YWCA Ontario is a provincial coalition of YWCA Member Associations that serves more than 50,000 people each year across Ontario. We offer a range of housing, employment, child care and violence against women programs and services designed to address the needs of women, girls and gender diverse people and their families. We also work to advance substantive gender and racial equity in our province.

March 22 2022

No one should have to choose between paying their electricity bill and ensuring there is dinner on the table for the next week. This, however, is the reality for many members of the Niagara community as they work day in and day out for minimum wage (currently $15.00 per hour) with little time or resources to make ends meet at home.

February 10 2022

If you have a child or are in the process of family planning, you know just how expensive it can be to access high-quality childcare in Ontario. The reality is, there simply are not enough licensed childcare facilities in Ontario to support the growing number of parents who can’t afford not to work while raising a family.

May 20 2022

The YWCA values the overall well-being of those in our community and believes that everyone should have access to basic human needs. Having a roof over your head should never be an issue. The YW works alongside many local businesses, volunteers, and donors to ensure that the women and children of the Niagara Region have access to food, water, and a place to either temporarily or permanently call home.

February 22 2022

Trigger warning: This article contains themes of sexual exploitation. If you find yourself in need of mental health support, contact the Crisis Outreach and Support Team (COAST) 1-866-550-5205 to speak with someone immediately and get referred to help.

May 8 2020

When COVID-19 hit Canada like a hurricane, we all batten down the hatches and hoped for the best, unsure of how long the storm would last. Unfortunately, as a country, we didn’t originally consider how this unique experience would impact different groups of people – specifically, how it would impact women.

May 15 2020

It can be challenging to our new daily routines during a pandemic whether that means working from home or not working at all. From budgeting to ensuring a successful good night’s sleep, there are lots of tricks on how to cope with these significant changes in our lives from a pandemic.

May 22 2020

During a global pandemic, even the most basic of routines completely changes – including how we cook at home. Cooking, at least for me, is therapeutic in uncertain times like these. It is up to us to keep ourselves and our children nourished and healthy during these times of uncertainty.

May 27 2020

Sarah’s story is full of challenges, twists and turns, but she has never let any of that stop her from striving to be a better person. She first reached out to the YWCA Niagara Region in 2015 when she was faced with homelessness after leaving an abusive partner. 

May 29 2020

As more and more Canadians have been switching over to the WFH lifestyle, you might find it hard to switch from being in an office space to your own living space. You may experience a lot more distractions and things that prevent you from being productive in a work setting. Fortunately, there are some tips I have for keeping that WFH life balanced and effective to make sure you don’t lose focus.

July 15 2020

The stereotypical image of a bundled women asleep on a sidewalk is what comes to mind for most Canadians, when homelessness is mentioned. However, that is not always the case, the reality is more varied and complex. With no roof over their heads and no door to lock safely behind them, women are at a greater risk of physical, emotional and psychological harm.

July 22 2022

Now more than ever, we should not be tearing others down with words. We must encourage those around us to be better and spread positivity, this cannot be done without self-love. It is a difficult but necessary balance of supporting those around us and listen while still caring for ourselves.

October 30 2020

Stacy’s story of hardship began at a very young age.

While both of her parents struggled with substance abuse, Stacy was forced to enter the foster care system. At the age of 9, Stacy lost her father in a motor cycle accident. This was just the start of a tragic series of losses in her life.

October 30 2020

Organizations like the YW experience extensive barriers when trying to transition programs to accommodate the new virtual world we live in. From a lack of technology and gaps in training for the virtual landscape, it can feel impossible to support every woman, children and family that needs our support on the Niagara Region.

November 3 2020

Hi my name is Sarah. I’ve lived through the YWCA’s housing programs for the last few years. In the time I came to the YWCA I was broken in so many ways.

December 11 2020

Linda came to the YWCA in October of 2018 with her two children. When she first arrived, she was struggling with depression. Her life was all out of sorts. After the tragic loss of her mother, depression started to settle in and affect her daily life activities.

December 11 2020

One of the most recent team successes starts with Susan and her 4-year-old son.

Susan had a relationship breakdown with a best friend that she was sharing an apartment with, leaving her homeless and seeking shelter.