YWCA Canada
Toronto | Ontario | Hybrid
National Advocacy. Community Action.
YWCA Canada is the country’s oldest and largest gender equity organization. Since 1873, we have been a national leader in advocating for the rights of women and girls. A secular, registered charity, we drive systemic change through powerful advocacy, collaboration, and programs that address urgent needs and advance long-term gender equity.
As a federated organization, YWCA in Canada is made up of 29 independent YWCA associations (Member Associations), each operating autonomously with its own governance and united in our shared mission. YWCA Member Associations work together to offer core services and are accountable to each other as peers.
YWCA Canada is governed by policies set by their Member Associations and are administered by a Board of Directors, elected by Member Associations.
Through membership committees, there is collaboration between YWCA staff and volunteer leaders to provide support in executive search and orientation, member association services, program collaboration, capacity-building, training and standards assessment, leadership network support and critical issues management.
YWCA Canada is a member association of the World YWCA, a global movement working for women’s empowerment, leadership and rights in more than 100 countries and 20,000 local communities!
Mission
As a national voice for feminism in Canada, YWCA drive gender equity through informed advocacy and by uniting the collective strength of YWCAs across the country.
Vision
Empowered women, girls, and gender diverse people in a just, safe, and equitable world.
Values
A Women’s Perspective:
Women must take leadership in shaping society’s direction in order to achieve equity and equality for all women
Difference and Diversity:
In order to achieve social and other forms of justice, we must embrace difference and diversity among peoples.
The Whole Person:
Strength, wisdom, and character come from the balanced development of the whole person in body, mind, and spirit.
Community Mindedness:
Healthy communities, free from violence, racism, and other abuses of power, nurture the whole person. Individuals committed to equity advance the growth of such communities
Global Interdependence:
The world-wide struggle for equity and equality interconnects all women.
Informed advocacy aims:
Ending violence against women and girls.
Implementing National Childcare.
Achieving economic equality.
Ending homelessness for women and girls.
Impact drivers:
Ending gender-based violence
Provide safe and stable housing.
Achieving economic equity.
Championing childcare and women’s wellbeing.
Empowering young, diverse leaders.
Informing and shaping our feminist future.
Guiding principles
Amplify and support local YWCAs across Canada through listening, dialogue, fostering cohesion, and strong unifying standards, while striving for excellence.
Work within a feminist ethos that centers the perspectives and lived experiences of diverse women and girls, across the gender spectrum.
Strive to remove barriers faced by equity-deserving staff, service users, and volunteers including barriers based on gender, race, sexual orientation, language, age, disability, immigration status, geography, religion, and intersections thereof.
Confront our history and the address ongoing impacts of colonialism on Indigenous (First Nations, Métis and Inuit) communities and enable concrete accountable action on Truth and Reconciliation across the YWCA movement in Canada.
Address anti-Black racism and systemic racism in all its forms and are committed to fostering a decolonial practice rooted in intersectionality.
Cultivate a collaborative intergenerational movement that upholds youth leadership while honouring the wisdom and experience of elders and long-standing members of the YWCA movement.
Promote collaboration and allyship with engaged men and boys to advance accountability and meaningful societal change towards lasting gender equity.
Commited to continuous learning and capacity building across all areas of our work, alongside our local YWCAs and in solidarity with our national and global partners.
Your Commitment to this Board
Meeting a Month/Year: 6 - 8 (yearly)
Monthly Time Commitment: 6 - 8 hours per month
Meeting Location(s): Hybrid, in-person meetings held in Toronto, ON
Duration of Time Commitment to this Board: 3 years
Contact Person: Andrea Dannecker, membership@ywcacanad.ca