Young Women’s Christian Association of Cambridge

No. We are a secular organization. We work with cis and trans women and girls and non-binary and two-spirit people of all faiths.

1948

YWCA Cambridge connects the community with the realities of the lives of cis and trans women and girls, non-binary and Two-Spirit individuals. With respect, we share their stories and experiences to educate, build awareness and influence change. We provide a wide range of programs for cis and trans women and girls, non-binary and Two-Spirit individuals. All programs are participant-led and provided free of charge. Additionally, we are also one of the largest providers of licensed child care in Cambridge and also provide summer camp programs at  Shades Mills Conservation Area and at our child care centres.

Through leadership, advocacy and program and service delivery, YWCA Cambridge will influence communities to ensure all cis and trans women and girls and non-binary and Two-Spirit individuals are respected, valued and equal.

YWCA Cambridge, a trusted community leader, gives a voice to the needs of cis and trans women and girls and non-binary and Two-Spirit individuals through innovative and responsive programs, services and advocacy.

We are a multi-service organization that provides a wide range of programming:

• Small Steps to Success pre-employment programming for women who face chronic unemployment or under-employment;
• Outreach services to reduce marginalization and isolation;
• Uplift reskilling/upskilling employment training and wraparound support services;
• Roots of Empathy (an internationally recognized, evidence-based classroom program proven to reduce violence and aggression among school children)
• Participant-led, gender-based youth programming including: 
  • SHYFT (For cis and trans girls, non-binary and Two-Spirit individuals ages 8-12 to engage in allyship and activism);
  • TechGyrls and STEM Mentoring (STEM for cis and trans girls, non-binary and Two-Spirit individuals aged 9-13)
  • Family Story Time (facilitating intergenerational conversations about issues of equity and inclusion).
  • Advocacy and community education to advance gender equity and reduce gender-based violence.

We serve cis and trans women and girls, non-binary and Two-Spirit individuals. We welcome people of all faiths, sexual orientations, genders, ethnic backgrounds, cultural affiliations and creeds. All of our work is informed by a feminist, anti-oppressive framework, and all employees undergo continuous training to bring this lens to the work each of us does.

To ensure that the delivery of our programming is representative of the population we serve, our programs are built on a three-part philosophy:

1. Participant-led: participants are involved in the development, design, delivery and evaluation of programs, ensuring they are meaningful and relevant based on the participants’ intersections and lived experiences.
2. Participant-focused: programs are attentive to the specific needs and experiences of participants. Participants are introduced to positive role models who invite participants to share their experiences through open dialogue and activities so that they can receive the support they need to challenge harmful stereotypes.
3. Strength-based: program facilitators ensure that the talents and strengths of participants are recognized and opportunities are available for participants to increase these strengths as well as develop emerging skills.

YWCA is independent of the YMCA – we are two distinct organizations with different origins and missions.

Yes, we are a non-profit child care provider. Here is a link to our handbook for more information on child care services

YWCA Cambridge has always engaged in advocacy for its participants and for the continuation of programming and services for cis and trans women and girls, non-binary and Two-Spirit individuals. We engage in advocacy with the broader community and with all levels of government. Advocacy is important to our organization because it helps us achieve the conditions that will improve the lives of cis and trans women and girls, non-binary and two-spirit individuals, not only in Cambridge and North Dumfries, but in all communities from coast to coast to coast. We often partner with YWCAs in Ontario under the YWCA Ontario coalition, as well as with other YWCAs across Canada through YWCA Canada and World YWCA to advance our shared mission. 

11930 7387 RR0001