Past Programs
Needs Assessment
To assist in the creation of welcoming and inclusive communities that promote the successful integration of all immigrants, a better understanding of the characteristics, strengths and needs of both established and recent immigrants is essential. This research will aim to determine what programming is needed to counteract the social and emotional isolation faced by newcomer/immigrant women in York Region.
Interpreter Companions
Language barriers have been sited as one of the main concerns of newcomer and immigrant women, contributing to many issues such as social isolation, unemployment, and inaccessible healthcare and community resources.
YRWF’s interpreter companion helps women with key life activities such as visiting the doctor, parent/teacher meetings, travelling, communicating with landlord, etc
Info and Referral
York Region Women’s Foundation provides contact information on local community resources including: Doctors, Lawyers, Shelters, Day Care/School, Employment services and Immigration services
Interactive Workshops
Peer Support
Peer Support Counsellors provide support and information on a one-to-one basis. Peer support uses a self-help approach with supportive listening and sharing of appropriate resources, to help women overcome life challenges and transition in a positive manner.
Valuable Women
A group for women with disabilities to gather once a week. The group is facilitated in an innovative approach, using tools such as art, to explore the issues that affect women with disabilities. Participants socialize around activities, snacks and shared ideas.
Art Classes
We are dedicated to nurturing the artistic talents of women and girls. YRWF celebrates women as creators and innovators. Classes included: Photography, Cake Decorating, Culinary Arts, Painting, Pottery, Jewellery Making, Creative Writing, and Sewing.
Health and Fitness
YRWF health and fitness programs improve the body, mind and overall wellness of women and girls in York Region through: Chronic Disease Prevention, Active Living, Sports, and Health Issues (reproductive, maternal, and mental health)
Inclusive Aging-Friendly Community Report
Our project entitled, “Age Actively – AFC Plan for Diverse Senior Women,” used the Age-Friendly Communities Guide developed by The Ontario Seniors’ Secretariat (OSS), the Accessibility Directorate of Ontario (ADO), the University of Waterloo and McMaster University to develop up-to-date information on the needs of isolated groups that deserve an opportunity to contribute to their AFC plan.
Art Against Ageism
Research shows that experiences of ageism can disproportionately affect women due to increased value placed on appearances and youth, affecting their lives from ability to find work, expenses, ability to remain independent, feelings of self value, emotional wellbeing and much more. This program’s key goals included: Providing information about different ways ageism (gendered and non-gendered) manifests in everyday experience; providing a safe space for sharing experience about ageism and resources; and sharing art as a medium for both expressing ideas around ageism topics and countering ageism by providing real images and narratives from the diverse lives of older women.
Her Say Her Way
From February to May of 2022, we at the York Region Women’s Foundation (YRWF) reached out to Black and South Asian women to ask what they needed for an inclusive COVID-19 recovery. The Her Say Her Way snapshot provides an overview of the key findings in both the experiences of diverse Black and South Asian women and the resources they need to recover.
Crafts and Conversation
Crafts and Conversation is a program for women 55+. Every Tuesday over online zoom sessions we will meet for an opportunity to do crafts together and have guided discussions about art, community, safety and more! Come for crafting, conversation, and community!
GirlGoals
Our free program introduced the sport of soccer to underserved girls, ages 5-9 years old, from Black, South Asian and Indo-Caribbean communities. Opportunities for girls to get active are limited, and girls from racialized groups are further removed from sports and physical activity. Our barrier-free program provided girls a safe and welcoming space to get active, connect and learn sustainable physical literacy skills.