ywca annual report

YWCA CALGARY 2013-14 ANNUAL REPORT INTERVENE | EMPOWER | LEAD

I AM

2| YWCA OF CALGARY INTERVENE | EMPOWER | LEAD

MissionTo intervene, empower and lead when and where women need us most.

VisionWomen thriving in a safe and equitablecommunity.

WE ADAPTED

LETTER FROM THE CEO

For 103 years, the YWCA has been part of theCalgary community. As the city has grown andchanged, we have adapted to meet the needs of vulnerable women. Our client base is nowdominated by those who identify as Aboriginalor new to Canada with needs that are very differ-ent from those of past decades. Our emergencyshelters and transitional housing programs areconsistently full and we struggle to move womenthrough the system due to a lack of appropriateand affordable housing. Our ability to supportwomen toward independence is hampered bytheir need for employment skills and education.This means that we need to support women andtheir families differently than we did in the past.

The June 2013 floods definitely changed manyaspects of life in Calgary, and left many residentsscrambling to find a safe and dry place to sleep.Clients of the YWCA, already struggling anduncertain, were suddenly experiencing com-pounding traumas as we evacuated both YWCAMary Dover House transitional housing andYWCA Sheriff King Home emergency shelter,and worked daily to keep a roof over our heads,provide food and personal items, as well assecure the funding to continue to operate.

The level of commitment and dedication demon-strated by YWCA staff, board members, volunteersand community partners gives me a great senseof pride. As we rallied together to restart programsand services, we were saddened to bid farewellto several valued team members after YWCAFitness on 5th was permanently closed due toheavy flood damage. Wellness has long been acomponent of the YWCA and will continue to be,although the form it takes may look different.

Resilience is defined as an individuals ability toproperly adapt to stress and adversity. This haslong been a word we used to describe our clients.It is now a word we use to describe the YWCA andthe staff who choose to work here. As we, andCalgary, worked to get back on track, the YWCAlived its mission and even more clearly understoodthe need in this city for the services we provide.

Resilience is defined as an individuals ability to properly adapt to stress and adversity. This has long been a word we used to describe our clients. It is now a word we use to describe the YWCA and the staff who choose to work here.

Sue Tomney, Chief Executive Officer, YWCA of Calgary

Affordable housing and access to services waschallenging before June 20, 2013 and has becomeeven more of a struggle for women and their fami-lies. The YWCA, alongside our community partnersand funders, advocates to address this issue.

The need to engage individuals, governmentrepresentatives and corporate partners in theconversation is more critical than ever.

Post flood, we hosted our annual YWCA WALK AMILE IN HER SHOES. We have so much fun eachyear at this event, as do our male participants whodon high heels to support women and children;we almost forget the challenging issue it supports working towards ending family violence.

It was a thrill to host Naomi Judd at our 3rdannual YWCA WHYWHISPER Fundraising Galaon November 14. We listened to the challengesshe faced related to family violence, extremepoverty and exclusion and felt her pain. We alsoshared laughter as Naomi wandered throughthe crowd and showed us the personal side of a world-renowned performer.

Resilience has clearly been the theme of the2013 2014 year; recovering from flood damages,implementing a new strategic plan and bringingdeeper alignment to the YWCA. The ability toadapt to changing needs quickly allows us tosupport women every day and help them movefrom a place of dependence to one of healthyindependence.

It truly takes a village to affect change. TheYWCA is fortunate to have such an extensivevillage of supporters, partners and ambassadorswho not only make my job much easier but allowthe YWCA to do the work we need to do to seewomen and their families thrive in our community.Thank you for your continued support andengagement.

Sincerely,

Sue Tomney, Chief Executive Officer, YWCA of Calgary

www.ywcaofcalgary.com | 2013-14 ANNUAL REPORT |3

ESTABLISHING A NEW NORMAL AFTER THE FLOOD

On June 20, 2013 all eyes were on Calgary as theflood of the century hit. The YWCA downtownlocation suffered extensive damage throughoutthe first floor of the building. Classroom spaceswere flooded, access to servers was disrupted,and the damage forced the permanent closureof YWCA Fitness on 5th, our social enterprise.

Once the waters receded, clients and staff wereable to return to the building and restart pro-

JUNE

20}

JUNE

22}

The Evacuations> State of emergency in

Inglewood forced evacuationof women and their children from the YWCA Sheriff KingHome emergency shelter.

> The following morning, women and children, fromYWCA Mary Dover Housetransitional housing joined shelter clients and staffas the downtown YWCA facility was also evacuated.

Living the Mission> All women and children who

evacuated were moved tostudent housing at MountRoyal University, where theywould remain for nearlytwo weeks.

> A donation drive was held that brought more than$30,000 in cash and in excess of $8,000 of gift-in-kind donations for the women and children.

So much was received that the YWCA was able to share with other agencies in need.

JUNE

27}The Return > Staff and clients able

to return to the YWCA Sheriff King Home emergency shelter, which had stayed dry.

JUNE

29}The Clean Up> Power was restored to

the YWCAs downtown facility clean up begins.

JULY

5}> With one working elevator

at the downtown facility, YWCA Mary Dover House transitional housing clientsand some staff were able to return.

JULY

8}AUGUST

20}The New Normal> Programs began to restart

downtown and the new normal was discovered.

grams that had been on hold. In the background,efforts began to reforecast budgets and re-planthe year ahead in order to ensure the continuedfinancial stability of the organization.

Despite a substantial loss of revenue from the fitness centre, a balanced budget was re-established. The YWCA, after more than 100 years of supporting vulnerable women,weathered the 100 year flood with greatresilience.

JUNE

23}

OUR CITY ADAPTED

THANK YOU TO OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERSWHO SUPPORTED US DURING THE FLOOD

Alberta Health Services Calgary Co-operative Association Calgary Police ServicesCalgary TransitCity of Calgary Calgary Emergency Management AgencyEdgemont Community CentreEdgemont Elementary School Marda Loop Community Association Mount Royal University Northwest Community ChurchWilliam Aberhart High School

YWCA Fitness on 5th> Due to extensive ood

damage, announcements were made that the tnesscentre was permanently closed.


THE WOMAN WHO COMES TO US

She is between 18 and 70 years of age. She istypically single, widowed, separated or divorced.She could be new to Canada and struggling witha language or employment barrier.

If she is employed, she is likely earning less than$24,000 a year and requires financial assistanceto support herself and her family. She likely didnot attend university, and she might not have ahigh school diploma. In order to acquire sustain-able employment she will need further educa-tion or skill development.

Before finding the YWCA, she likely stayed ina homeless shelter or with family and friends.When shelters were full, and she couldnt find acouch to sleep on, she had to sleep on the street.

She is also brave and resourceful. She knowswhere to find help and where she will be treatedwith dignity and respect. When she finds her wayto the door of the YWCA she is filled with hope.

THE NEED IS GREAT The Calgary Police Service responds to approxi-mately 16,500 domestic conflict calls each year.We provide emergency shelter for many womenforced to leave their homes with nothing but theclothes on their backs, but unfortunately we donthave capacity to house every woman fleeing anabusive relationship.

SHE IS BRAVE

She is brave and resourceful.She knows where to find helpand where she will be treatedwith dignity and respect.

*Name has been changed

When women are safe, supported and ready tomove into the community, they struggle to findappropriate housing. Women are staying longerin our shelters. From 2012 to 2013, the averagelength of stay in YWCA Sheriff King Home emerg-ency shelter and YWCA Mary Dover House transi-tional housing increased by more than 21 per cent.

Safe and appropriate housing is not the only bar-rier to independence. Many of our clients requirelanguage and training support, employment skillsand education. One such woman is Sara,* animmigrant woman who found herself at the doorsof the YWCA Winter Emergency Response program(WER) last winter. When Sara arrived at the YWCAWER, she could not speak English. She was veryconfused, afraid and alone.

With the support of an interpreter, the YWCA WERteam soon understood that Sara was strugglingwith health issues compounded by homelessness.Soon Sara was settled in YWCA Mary Dover Housetransitional housing. Now with a roof over her head,and access to language training and counsellingsupports she can break through the isolation shehas struggled with. These supports have enabledher to feel confident enough to reconnect withmembers of her ethno cultural community, whowere thrilled to know she was being helped.

Women cannot transition from dependence to inde-pendence without sustainable employment, safeand appropriate housing and connections to thecommunity. That is why the YWCA is here whenand where she needs us most.

WHO WE SUPPORT


IT TAKES A VILLAGE...

The support of our volunteers, community,corporate and government partners allows theYWCA to provide services for vulnerable women.Their support helps keep our doors open andensures the YWCA is connected to the community.

The YWCA is thrilled to partner with communityorganizations who wish to bring their expertiseto the clients we support.

I love teaching at YWCA, the women I meet there are some of the most eager and interested learners Ive encountered. The staff is very welcoming, helpful and invested in their clients learning.

Calgary Public Library, Digital Learning Instructor

Volunteers are the lifeblood of any non-prot organization, and the YWCA is no exception.

In 2013 the YWCA was gifted more than 7,107 hours of voluntary work by 403 committed volunteers.

The reason I give to the YWCA is it allows me tofill my passion, which is cooking, and the secondis the chance to give back to the community and brighten someone's day when they are in a situation where they may need it,

Kevin McGowan, Volunteer, YWCA Sheriff King Home emergency shelter kitchen

2013-2014 SOURCES OF REVENUE

WHO SUPPORTS US

OUR GOVERNMENT PARTNERS

Alberta Health Services: Addictions and Mental Health Services

Calgary and Area Child and Family ServicesCity of Calgary Family and Community Support ServicesGovernment of Alberta:

Human ServicesJustice and Solicitor General: Safe Communities

Innovation FundGovernment of Canada:

Citizenship and Immigration CanadaService Canada/Human Resources and Skills Development

OUR FUNDING PARTNERS

Calgary Homeless FoundationCalgary LearnsHomeFrontUnited Way of Calgary & Area

49%

15%

12%

21%

2%

Government Grants

Other Grants

Program, Course Fees, Accommodations

Other Income: Membership/Rentals, Investment

Donations and Fundraising


EMERGENCY SHELTER

When women fleeing family violence come toour doors, they are afraid, alone and traumatized.They face isolation and poverty. Inside our YWCASheriff King Home emergency shelter, womenand their children are provided with food andpersonal items; a safe place to sleep, clothing,and counselling to help them heal from trauma.They find safety, security and freedom.

For YWCA clients who struggle with homeless-ness or poverty, each night is a question of wherethey will sleep. At the YWCA Winter EmergencyResponse (WER) program, they are guaranteeda roof over their heads. The YWCA WER programis a temporary shelter offered in a portion of ourformer gymnasium during the coldest months of the year. The WER program first operated in2012, in collaboration with the Calgary HomelessFoundation, to offer homeless women a warm,safe place to sleep when shelters are at capacity.

TRANSITIONAL HOUSING

Affordable and appropriate housing is crucial inhelping women break the cycles of poverty andhomelessness and thrive in a safe and equitablecommunity. For many of our clients, who areworking in low wage or unstable jobs, orreceiving social assistance, a clean, safe apart-ment in Calgary costs two or three times whatthey can afford to pay.

To make matters worse, the June floods putincreased pressure on the citys already tightrental market. Vulnerable women hoping to findpermanent housing were forced to compete withdisplaced Calgarians in a city with a low vacancyrate and limited affordable housing.

The YWCA provides safe and appropriatehousing for single women and women withchildren who experience homelessness andpoverty. We provide the support and resourcesrequired to help our clients meet their goals,stay housed and lead to happier, healthier lives.

In 2013 the average length of stay in the YWCA Mary DoverHouse transitional housing program was 135 days compared to 112 days in 2012.

The percentage of women who spent at least one night under a YWCA roof who identified as Aboriginal:

28% }YWCA Mary Dover House transitional housing

25% }YWCA Sheriff King Home emergency shelter

23% }YWCA Community Housing program

53% }YWCA Winter Emergency Response program

When I was told I would be accepted into YWCA Mary Dover House transitional housing, I cant even begin totell you how I was counting my lucky stars. I was shown to a real bed in a bedroom and I was told I could stay there. The days of lugging along all my belongings and feeling so lonely are over at last. I now have an actual closet and a set of drawers!

Client, YWCA Mary Dover House transitional housing program

HOW WE SUPPORT

2013 Statistics

The YWCA provided shelter or housing for 1,292 women and 328 children in emergency or transitional housing programs.

The average length of stay for our clients in our YWCA Sheriff King Home emergency shelter was 24 dayscompared to 20 days in 2012.

555 women found safe shelter from the winter cold in the YWCA Winter Emergency Response program.

There were 2,475 requests for admission to the YWCA SheriffKing Home emergency shelter. Of those requests 1,471 wereunable to be accommodated due to capacity.1,059 of therequests included children.

When I arrived at the YWCA, I was at my absolute bottom. I had been living between the streets and another shelter. When I came to the YWCA WER program I was pleasantly surprised to say the least. The accommoda-tions were clean. Each lady had her own personal space with clean linen, including a pillow. There were hothot showers and healthy food was provided. The staff would listen to me for as long as I needed them to,no matter how long it took. Client, YWCA Winter Emergency Response program


COUNSELLING

Women supported by the YWCA often strugglewith isolation, challenges related to parentingand healthy relationships as well as the effectsof trauma and abuse. The YWCA offers a rangeof counselling services, for women, children,and men, in group and individual settings.Programs are designed to support families tomove from a place of vulnerability to one ofstrength and resilience by rebuilding personalcapacity and helping to develop relationship skills.

For women, the YWCA offers counselling to supporthealthy relationships, lifestyles and connectionwith the community. Our services for childrenwho have experienced or witnessed familyviolence include counselling, outreach supportsand visitation services. The YWCA also providesgroup and individual counselling to men whohave been abusive to their partners and children.

2013 Statistics

20,507 hours }Of direct, one-on-one and face-to-face time with clients in supportive and clinical counselling programs.

3,268 hours }Of group programming in supportive and clinical counselling programs.

EDUCATION and EMPLOYMENT SKILLS

For women to thrive they need access tolanguage and skill development that supportsthem to gain and sustain employment. TheYWCA offers language and employment skillstraining for new Canadians, as well as womenstruggling with employment barriers, in order to help reduce poverty or feelings of isolation.Our education and employment skills programsprovide clients with the skills and connectionsthey need to be independent and successful inthe community.

We offer child care so women can pursue theireducation and maintain sustainable employment.In addition, we provide parent and counsellingsupport and early child development programs sochildren can have a safe and nurturing home withthe opportunity to develop to their full potential.

2,733 parents + children }built new skills through the YWCA Parent Link Corridor

323 women }accessed the Vermilion Energy/ YWCA Employment Resource Centre, opened in June 2013.

6 months after completion }of YWCA Canadian Employment Skills program, which helps new Canadians nd sustainable employment:

24% }of CES clients were earning more than $6,000 a month.

Immigrating to Canada and restarting my life from zero was not easy. After sending 300 resumes with no success, my confidence and self-esteem were very low. The CES program helped me recover my hope and direction.

Client, YWCA CanadianEmployment Skills program

HOW WE SUPPORT

After leaving my abusive husband, it became veryclear that my children and I had all been affected by the violence.We started going to group sessions at the YWCA Sheriff King Home. I see change in the kidsevery week. They learnsurvival tools, healthyhealthy boundaries and self worth and genuinelove to and from others.It had been over a yearnow since our journeybegan, and we finally have a home full of respect for one another,peace and so much love.

Client, YWCA ChildrenExposed to DomesticViolence program


WHO SUPPORTS USThe YWCA apologies if anydonor names have beenaccidentally omitted.

Pillar $100,000.00+The Calgary FoundationThe Calgary Foundation

Anonymous FundCenovus Energy IncEstate of Ruth U. LeipzigerPengrowth Energy

CorporationSam Switzer

Builder $50,000.00+The Arnie J. Charbonneau

FoundationCanadian Oil Sands LtdEnbridge IncHopewell GroupRBC FoundationVermilion Energy Inc

Champion $10,000.00+Alberta Beverage Container

Recycling CorporationARC Resources LtdBirchcliff Energy LtdThe Burns Memorial FundThe Calgary Foundation

Jack Carter Family FundCanadian Natural Resources

LimitedCanadian Women's FoundationThe Chickwagon! Foundation

for WomenCIBCConocoPhillips CanadaCPJanet Dawson and Derek EvansDentons CanadaKaylene DuttchenEnCana CorporationEx-Sheriff King TrustGeorge FinkFlames Foundation for LifeEstate of Gertrude M.

HawkwoodSusan HealyHockey Helps the HomelessHusky Energy IncMawer Investment

Management LtdGary NissenSheila O'BrienRaymond James Canada

FoundationRyan ULCMargaret and Ron SouthernPat and Barry Stewart

Stuart Olson Dominion Contruction Ltd

The TAO FoundationTELUS CorporationUnited Way of Calgary,

Donor Choice Program

Leader $5,000.00+Annapolis Capital (IV) LimitedBarbara BakerBayer CropScience IncJoanna Bennett and Brian

GrassbyBlatant MediaThe Calgary Foundation

Dick and Lois Haskayne FundThe Calgary Foundation

Sapphire FoundationThe Calgary Foundation

C.Siemens and M.Sinotte Fund

Calgary Motor Dealers Association

Calgary Poppy FundWendy and Alex CampbellCan-Am GeomaticsCenovus Employee FoundationChildren's Hospital Aid SocietyCrew Energy IncDowntown CalgaryElbow River Lodge 180Foothills Industrial Products LtdJanice Heard and Bruce

McFarlane

Sandra HordosSydelle and Eamon HurleyFaisal KarmaliLegacy Oil + Gas IncM. Ann McCaigOsler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLPPaul Lavoie Interior Design

CorporationKathy and Tom PinderPlace2Give FoundationQualico CommunitiesRBC Capital MarketsRGO Ofce Products

PartnershipRozsa FoundationScotia WaterousShoppers Drug Mart Life

FoundationJoan SnyderMary Jane and Robert SwinnTD Canada TrustThe Tenaquip FoundationJulie Watkins

Carol Ann and Peter WilliamsYMCA Calgary

Friend $1,000.00+751213 Alberta IncActive Operations Management

North AmericaAdvantage Oil & Gas LtdMaeghan AlbistonYoussef AminAngle Energy IncATB FinancialATCO EPICAutomotive Industries

Association Southern Alberta Division

Baywood Associates LtdRick BekkerusBenevity Social Ventures IncBKI Risk ManagementBorden Ladner Gervais LLPShannon Bowen-Smed and

Peter SmedPatricia and Michael BroadhurstJanet BrownBT Solutions IncBurnswest CorporationMarion and Mike BurnyeatCalgary Co-Operative

Association LimitedCalgary Co-Operative

Association Limited Employees

The Calgary Foundation Akira and Misae Masuda Fund

The Calgary Foundation Rubicon Fund

Calgary Parking AuthorityCalgary Tinsmith Industries LtdCalgary Women in EnergyCallow & Associates Manage-

ment Consultants IncSandra Cameron Evans and

Jim EvansCanada Safeway LimitedCanadian Discovery LtdCanadian Pacic Police ServiceCandela Group LtdCanyon Creek ToyotaJim CausgroveChecker Transportation GroupChevron Canada EmployeesChevron Canada Resources/

Chevron TexacoHelen CluettPat and Joel CochraneMichael ColumbosJoanne Cuthbertson and

Charlie FischerIris and Ernest Damkar

Davis LLPOlive DixonJoanna DomesLeela DomingoJoel DouglasDrifter Projects LtdDrum & Monkey Public HousePatti and John DuhaultNancy EaidEaston Industrial AirDonald EdieHeather and Murray EdwardsEnCana Cares FoundationEnergy Navigator EmployeesRick EremenkoBlaine ErneEvolution Presentation

Technologies LtdNorma and Robert

FarquharsonStephanie and Brian FeleskyFidelity Investments CanadaShane FildesJohn FinbowKarin and Ryan FinleyFirst Calgary FinancialFirst Calgary Financial

EmployeesKate FischerGreg FletcherFortisAlbertaNancy and Doug FosterRick FoxTammy and Buddy FrenetteJennifer FuhrDavid GlennGLJ Petroleum Consultants LtdGeoffrey GlotmanGMP Securities LPJoan and Robin GourlayJennifer and Andrew GrasbyJanet GriesdaleAudrey and Robert GuedoDavid GuichonCayley GunnEvan HazellMike HegedusLorna HendryLinda HoholJanice and Chris HooperMark HorsfallHose & Hound

Neighbourhood PubIndependent Order of Odd

Fellows, Hillhurst Rebekah Lodge 116

Jackie Palmer DistributorsRandy JahrigMona Jasinski and

David BoudreauJOG Capital Inc

Al KampPentti KarkkainenKC Barry IncMichael KellyKilowatts Design Company IncEve and Ron KinsbergNorbert KlattKnox United ChurchLaura-Lee KowalShelley KuipersKerrianne Kusch and Kyle

BaumgardnerLa Due Ladies Lunch

FoundationLadies LPG Golf AssociationCraig LangpapLarkspur Consulting IncBrian LavergneDrina LazarLe Roi Daniels Elementary

SchoolLesley LemColleen LenahanBrenda and Brian LenzinFred LivingstoneLou's Auto BodyChristine LueloNancy MacKayMacquarie Group FoundationMancal CorporationDawn ManningMaria Tomas CorporationDru MarshallMarshall Tittemore ArchitectsKerry MartensEmma Grace May and Trevor

Wong-ChorNicole McCaigRebecca and Robert McElhoesLucia and Allan McIntyreAdele and Peter McKeenMeerkat RoongLinda and Chris MelisCheryl MillsKaren and Peter MitchellBrenda MorganRebecca Morley and

Wade FeleskyMosaic CommunicationsBarbara and Brian MossJean NelsonNew Urban Consulting 2009 IncNexen IncCatherine NormanGlenda Nystuen and

Jim SaundersOdgers BerndtsonKathleen and Corey OlyniukOPUS CorporationPacesetter Directional

Drilling Ltd

A SINCERE THANK YOU...

to all supporters of the YWCAof Calgary. Your ongoingdedication enables women tothrive in a safe and equitablecommunity.

Please accept our gratitude for your continued support.

IMPACT OF YOUR DOLLARS:

For as little as $100/monthyou can support a child to recover from trauma. Foras much as $750 you can provide the gift of indepen-dence to a woman strugglingwith homelessness.

Your name would look good here!


Hetal PatelShawn PatersonPeople Engaged In (P.E.I.)

Benevolent Activities Association

Jane PerryPhipps Enterprises IncJulie PinterKelly PlettCameron PlewesTerry PoolePrecision Drilling CorporationPricewaterhouse Coopers LLPKim ProctorProCura Real Estate Services

LimitedWilma Quan-Forsyth and

Jody ForsythKaren RadfordSarah RaissNicole RemillardRevelstoke Roller Derby

AssociationDoreen RichardsSheila RoddyChuck RoseBarbara and Alan RossRoyal Canadian Legion Ladies

Auxiliary #285Royal LePage Shelter

FoundationLori and Jim RyanHeather and Terry ScottBarbara and Dan ScrivensSentry InvestmentsCraig SenykJoanne SharpeShaw Communications IncEllie SiebensDuncan SinclairMarion SinneaveTracy and Claus SitzlerRuth SkeltonCarolyn and David SmithLorna and Roger SmithWendy Smith LowSoderglen Ranches LtdJanet SolesSpectra Energy EmployeesSt. Paul's United Church

Urban Ministry Trust FundGene StahlLucille and Wesley StambaughPaul StarninoStatesman Flooring LtdStone-OlafsonThe Strategic Charitable

Giving Foundation Marilyn McElheran Fund

The Strategic Charitable Giving Foundation Robin's Fund

Suncor Energy FoundationLorne SwitzerTarget Project Management Inc

Target Realty CorpSandra TateJana Taylor and Bryan

De LottinvilleTELUS 3030 CaresTempro Tec IncTerralog Technologies IncHeather and Morten TheilgaardStella ThompsonBarbara ThorpeChristina TokarzSue TomneySandra and James TomsPatricia and Gordon TonesLiz Anne TonkenTransAltaTransCanada Corporation LtdTrend Fashions LtdDiane and Daniel TsubouchiMonique and Brian TuffsJames UllyottCindy WaitesJoanne Wallace and

Jim WilsonKate WalshPatricia and Mike WatsonWerklund Capital CorporationNorma and Ronald WestcottBenjamin WilliamsLiz and Stan WilliamsNancy WilsonKen WirgesGerda WittebroodGloria Wong and

Arthur HibbardJasmine WongPauline WongTony WongYoga Passage LtdYoung & Haggis Insurance

Services Ltd

Contributor $500.00+1085222 Alberta Ltd1411820 Alberta IncCaroline and David AbdayAbdel-Hafez Professional CorpAcademy Denture ClinicJoan and Mark AddisonAlberta Council of Women's

SheltersKristine AndersenBill AndrewApotex IncPatricia ArmstrongArmy, Navy & Air Force

Veterans in CanadaSarah ArthursAscension Lutheran WomenNorma and Henry AstleATCO GasATCO Structures & Logistics LtdAvalon Rentals LtdBernice and Ken BaherRochelle Bank

Gill BasfordJulia BaumeisterMr and Mrs BeaubienBeautyGram IncWilliam BerezanRuss BerezowskiColleen and George BezaireBig Al's BarBev and Mike BlancherDoug BowlesMarjorie and George BrookmanPatrick BrydenDale BuettnerHolly and John BurghardtScott BurnsPatricia and Gord ButcherCalgary Royal Purple Lodge #7Michel CantinDavid CareySharon CarryShirley CarterBrenda CheresnuikChinook Park Elementary

SchoolSusan ChurchKaren and Marcello CivitareseRita ClellandRae-Lee ColcleughJudy and Deane CollinsonRobi ContradaCopper Brook HomesAngela CorsiErmine CummingsCupe Local 1645 Social ClubMichele CurryAndrew DahlinRegan DavisGilbert DawsonMark D'CostaBarbara DickersonJim DinningSusan DitchburnQuang DoanCatherine DyerMelanie and William EastonEaton Industries CompanyShirley EdwardsEncompass Facility Service

and Supply EmployeesEvans Hunt GroupRobin FairRita FairbairnFelesky Flynn LLPBertha Ann FisherWade ForsythLiz and Tony FrickeAdam FrischMarilyn FryLiza and Bob FuenningLeanne and Bill GatenbyDonald GibbonsRon GibsonSanjib GillGlass Tech Entrance

Systems Ltd

Ross GlenGodfrey-Morrow Insurance

and Financial Services LtdKate GolloglyMarlene GrahamRebecca GreenanBertrand GroulxCarla GustafsonChristine Hall and

Kevin McCoubreyTim HamiltonAmy and Tim HancsicsakSherry HansonJehad HaymourLinda HaymourNicole and Roderick HeardHeritage Business InteriorsTodd HirschAnne and Robert HobbsJonathan HorlickLouise Huard-PeakeDerwyn HughesFlorence HumBeverley Irving

Sandra JackDiane and Merrill JamiesonColleen Janssen HoodKathleen JohnstonDiana and Paul KellyAkbar KhanJeannette KirchnerElsie KlassenMichelle KlassenElrose KlauseKMIKnitting for the NeedyKnox Presbyterian ChurchJill KobelakDoug KussAllan LauKaren LavoieJeff LeitlElaine and Harold LemieuxTeresa and Wayne LentzNancy Lever and

Alex PochmurskyJane and Terry LidsterDoug LongLorraine McVean Professional

CorportionBill MacLachlanKevin MaguireCathie and Bruce MahonManuLife FinancialKathy MarrinanMarshman EnterprisesPatricia and John MartinJudy MartinKaryn and Andrew MasseyMatthew B. White

Professional Corporation

Roxanne McCaigGrit and Scott McCreathJudy and Duncan McLachlanDanna McLeodHilary McMeekinMaria and William MelnychukMilestone Asset ManagementLois MilliganDonna MireaultBrenda and Larry MoellerBrent MoleskyJason MontemurroPeter MontgomeryMoore's Industrial Service LtdJackie and Peter MorganPatrica and Larry MurphyJill and Doug NedohinMary Ellen Neilson and

Harry GriebDolores and Paul NeilsonKaren NixonDoreen OrmanPaper PastimesRaechelle and Lorne PapernyMartha ParkerPBA Land Development LtdJames PeacockJohn PearceAdam PekarskyAileen PelzerLendy PerezRichard PeterMelanie and Bob PetrykSherry PhilpottDorothy and Kenneth PickardTietje PieraNancy Plato and Paul ThielPolaris Solutions IncMelissa PoszwaProgress Energy Canada LtdDavid RaganCharles RaibornRandy James Farms LtdBeth RankinRBC Dominion Securities IncAnna ReesThe Relocators IncFrances and Ken RickbeilJim RiddellRJH Contracting &

Consulting IncHugh RobinsonLinda RochowRockyview General HospitalRobert RooneyRobert RosineGayle RutherfordSafeway Women's NetworkDebbie Saunders and

Mike RitchatElaine SavoieHeidi SchubertScreaming Grizzly CorpSeisland Surveys LtdSharon Huckell

Professional CorpBarb and Bob ShaunessyRyan ShayDave ShepardRick SiluchChristine SimpsonElizabeth SmithCrawford SmithLarry SmithSteve SommerfeldSouthland Registration LtdSt Lucia Calgary Cultural

AssociationSt. Pius X ChurchKathy Stankievech and

Gord RobinsonRandy SteeleStephen's Backpack SocietyNora StewartSylvia and Larry StewartCarla StoeverMarion SutherlandAnne SwainTalisman Energy IncTECC Consulting & Systems IncTELUSJoan and David TetraultRichard ThiessenShone ThistleEric ToewsSherie and Marshall TonerVirginia and Howard TrawickTronnes Surveys LtdLauren and Terry TrudeauRory TylerUdeck Designs CorpCindy and Gary UllmanKevin Van KoughnettUllrich VielguthDona Vine-Mutton and

Ross MuttonJo-Ann VisserJason WagnerElizabeth and Fred WankaPatricia and David WardlawNancy and Bob WatsonChris WebsterWelch AllynNadine Welisch-MooreAudrey and Stephen WensleyMilley WetterAmy WhiteheadHelen WhyteValerie and Joseph WilsonNancy WiswellLinda and Clayton WoitasMark WoitasGarth WongTeresa WongWorleyParsonsJonathan WrightBarbara ZachRandy Ziegler

We could make roomfor your name here!


OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERS

Alberta Council of Womens Shelters Bow Valley CollegeCalgary Action Committee on Housing and HomelessnessCalgary Alpha House (DOAP Team)Calgary Board of EducationCalgary Chamber of Voluntary OrganizationsCalgary Chinese Cultural Centre Calgary Domestic Violence CollectiveCalgary Drop-In & Rehab CentreCalgary Family Services

Calgary Immigrant Womens AssociationCalgary Police ServiceCalgary Public LibraryCalgary Womens Shelters Directors Network Childrens Cottage SocietyChildrens Legal and Educational Resources CentreCommunity Kitchen Program of CalgaryCUPS Health and Education CentresDiscovery House Family Violence Prevention SocietyDress for SuccessElbow River Healing LodgeHigh Conict Institute

Horizon HousingImmigrant Services Calgary (Immigrant Language

and Vocational-Assessment Centre)Inn From the ColdJewish Family Service CalgaryMaking ChangesMomentum Mustard Seed Prospect Human ServicesWomen in Need Society Womens Resource Centre

YOUR SUPPORT

THIRD PARTY DONORS

Some take the form of fundraising events, someas volunteering and others as gifts of items theYWCA needs to support our clients, such aschildrens pajamas and food.

Fundraising events hosted on our behalf areunique and hugely impactful to the organization.Choosing the YWCA as a charity of choice for yourevent, activity or fundraiser means you are acatalyst in our community while having fun andhelping vulnerable women and their familiestransition to a place of hope and resilience.

The YWCA greatly appreciates the commitmentof all who chose to support the organization andcontribute to our ongoing efforts to intervene,empower and lead when and where womenneed us most.

By providing a holistic approach to care you are notonly ensuring that women are safe today, you are providing them, and their families, with the education and tools they need to end the cycle of violence for generations to come. We are pleased to support thevaluable services you provide.

Colleen Clancy, Chickwagon! Foundation for Woman

Hope for Healing was founded to raise funds for the YWCA while having a classy and fun time in the process. The work that the YWCA does is dear to my heart.

Audrey Wensley, Hope for Healing

IT TAKES A VILLAGE

Each year, groups, individualsand corporations donate time,treasures and talents to theYWCA.

Left image:In December 2013, SpectraEnergy donated 453 pairs of PJs for YWCA clients, along with over $4,000 in cash donations.

Right bottom:In December 2013, Calgary Co-op donated gift bags to YWCA Community-based housing clients.


LETTER FROM BOARD CHAIR

This past year has been bittersweet for me. Thegoals and objectives of the year were both excitingand monumental, as the YWCA Board of Directors,along with the Executive Team, consolidated plansfor strategic alignment and capital development.The year also carried with it a sense of personalsadness, knowing it would be my final year as adirector after seven years with the organization.

This is an exciting time for the YWCA and I ampleased to have been part of the work that ledthe organization to where it is today. With its longhistory, the YWCA is actively seeking partners toassist with becoming more integrated within thecity and better able to provide resources tosupport vulnerable women.

The focus for the Board of Directors in 2013 2014 was on continuing to establish a strongfoundation for the organization to move into itsnext phase. Taking notes from forward-thinkingYWCA boards of the past, that left the YWCA wellpositioned with land ownership and a strongbalance sheet, we maintained focus on theclients we support and how we can work withthe community to leverage our assets.

The YWCA Capital Development Project, aftertwo years of research and discovery, is now infull swing. A silver lining of the flood may be thefinancial flexibility to continue to drive the projectforward. I encourage you to review the auditedfinancial statements for more information aboutthe sound position of the organization. The board,alongside leadership, will need to keep their focuson the timeline and project objectives to ensurewe deliver on our mandate to create an environ-ment that supports the unique needs of women.

I firmly believe this project is not about thebuilding. The building is a resource; what reallymatters is what will be achieved within the newbuilding. The role of the YWCA is to help womenbuild resilience and strength so they may recon-nect with the community and find healthy andsustainable futures. The new building, and theprograms that will be offered inside it, will beable to accomplish this more effectively than today.

A strong foundation for the YWCA not onlyincludes bricks and mortar, but also the positionof the organization in the community as a leaderin ending family violence, advocating for vulner-able women and lending a voice to the issues ofpoverty, homelessness and exclusion.

Through the new YWCA blog on our website, we have spoken out on sensitive and importanttopics like prostitution, longer shelter stays andending violence against women as a sharedresponsibility. This last topic was the focus ofone of the YWCA In Conversation events hostedin 2013 2014. Engaging the community in thesediscussions brings visibility to the issues clientsat the YWCA deal with daily, and also addressesthe issues facing people in community we maynever reach.

Finally, I would like to recognize, and show myappreciation to each member of the YWCA Boardof Directors and committee members. Thesehard working volunteers offer their time, theirexpertise, and their passion to the organization. I am confident that with this exceptional group of individuals, the YWCA is well positioned andsupported for the work ahead. Thank you foryour dedication and for making my last year as Board Chair a true pleasure.

Sincerely,

Lori Van Rooijen, Chair of the Board, YWCA of Calgary

WE CONTINUE TO ADAPT

This is an exciting time for the YWCA and I am pleased to have been part of the workthat has led the organization to where it is today.

Lori Van Rooijen,Chair of the Board, YWCA of Calgary

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Sue Tomney, Ex Ofcio Member, CEO YWCA of CalgaryLori Van Rooijen, Board ChairJana Taylor, Vice ChairPatricia McLeod, Vice ChairKate Gollogly, Vice ChairJulie Watkins, TreasurerKate Fischer, SecretaryLorraine McVeanGeorgine UlmerNancy FosterMona JasinskiRebecca MorleyShannon Bowen-SmedAmie Blanchette Kim Connell

YWCA OF CALGARY320 5th AVENUE SE, CALGARY, AB T2G 0E5

TEL 403-263-1550 FAX 403-262-1743CHARITABLE REG# 108227927RR0001

YWCAOFCALGARY.COM

The ERC staff provided expert guidance and resources to help me define my talents and skills and a career path. I am also moving into my own apartment. Thank you to all the staff for the gift of hope!

Client, Vermilion Energy/YWCA Employment Resource Centre

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