YWCA St. John’s 

Address: 354 Water Street, Suite 309, St. John’s, NL A1C 1C4

Tel: (709) 726-9922
Fax: (709) 726-4144 
Email: info@ywcastjohns.ca 
Website: www.ywcastjohns.com/ 		Twitter: @YWCAYYT                  Instagram: @ywcayyt 
Facebook:@YWCAStJohns     

Mandate:

Mandate:

To advance gender equity through advocacy and justice-doing programs and services. Envisioning a feminist future, where communities are empowered and liberated from systemic oppression.

Target Population:

Mandate:

To advance gender equity through advocacy and justice-doing programs and services. Envisioning a feminist future, where communities are empowered and liberated from systemic oppression.

Target Population:

Women and gender diverse people, LGBTQIA+ newcomers to Canada, women and gender-diverse newcomers to Canada.

 

Target Population:

Women, girls, and gender-diverse folks of all ages.

Highlights of Programs/Services Offered:

Employment Programs:  

Ready for Launch Program:

  • Contact details
    • Program Coordinator: Ana Perez Rico – Youth Employment Coordinator
      Phone: (709) 770-9634 
      Email: ana@ywcastjohns.ca
    • Work Transition Coordinator: Bielasan Alshakhshir (she/her)
      Email: bielasan@ywcastjohns.ca Phone: (709) 771-9072
  • Click here for the application form
  • A 12-week employment program designed to support young women and gender-diverse youth (aged 16–30) with limited to no work experience who are currently facing multiple barriers to finding and maintaining employment. The program offers accessible opportunities for youth to develop their skills and connect with potential employers.
  • Program Eligibility:
  • A young woman or a gender-diverse youth (aged 16-30).
  • Someone who has limited or no work experience and is facing multiple barriers to employment.
  • Currently not studying, unemployed, or underemployed (working less than 20 hours/week).
  • A citizen of Canada, a permanent resident, or has been granted refugee status.
  • Able to attend programming for 30 hours a week, in person (St. John’s, NL, and surrounding areas).

Connextions 

  • A 19-week employment program for newcomer women and gender-diverse folks (ages 18+) experiencing barriers to employment. Eligibility includes: 
    • An immigrant woman or gender-diverse person (ages 18+)
    • Legally allowed to work in Newfoundland and Labrador 
    • Currently not studying, unemployed, or underemployed (working less than 20 hours/week)
    • Able to attend programming for 25 hours a week 
    • Temporary workers welcomed 
    • Applications currently closed. 

Youth Programs

L.E.A.D program 

  • Registration is opening soon. Email us at drishti@ywcastjohns.ca for more information 
  • Three day leadership training women and gender diverse youth ages 15-18 have the opportunity to build on their leadership skills, network with others, and gain insight and confidence in their leadership skills 
  • As group we build on self-awareness, basic facilitation skills, building group dynamics, conflict resolution skills, and how we can all contribute to creating safe spaces.
  • This year, the L.E.A.D Program is being offered as a three-day training. It will take place on July 17, 18, and 19, from 9:00am to 4:30pm, with the location to be determined. Snacks and lunch will be provided. 
  • Click here to register for the L.E.A.D Program 

Power of Being You (PBY)

  • Typically in partnership with a local school the conference is an empowerment-based, violence prevention conference for youth ages 12-15 to build confidence in their leadership and critical thinking skills through the development of a stronger sense of self-awareness and awareness of other skills 
  • Is held typically during World YWCA’s Week Without Violence 
  • Interested in bringing Power of Being You to your school? Reach out to our Youth Programs Coordinator, Drishti, at drishti@ywcastjohns.ca.

The Collective 

  • supports YWCA’s various social justice oriented goals through events, initiatives focused on peer networking, mentorship and leadership development 
  • open to young women and gender diverse youth ages 18-30
  • applications are accepted on rolling basis 
  • email us at drishti@ywcastjohns.ca for more information 

TechGyrls (STEM programming) 

  • Is a STEM based program for cis and trans girls, non-binary, and two-spirit youth ages 9 to 13
  • Participants have the opportunity to explore, design, create, and share all things related to Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math!
  • Each session is tailored to youths’ interests in STEM 
  • No skill or knowledge level needed to participate
  • Contact our youth program coordinator at drishti@ywcastjohns.ca for more information  

2SLGBTQIA+ Services: 

  • Fostering Collaboration of Services for 2SLGBTQIA+ Newcomers in Newfoundland and Labrador: Peer support group and mentorship program for LGBTQIA+ newcomers.  
    • Click here to register for peer support group and mentorship program
    • You can also email us at kimberly@ywcastjohns.ca or call 709-769-6649.
  • Program eligibility includes:
    • must be a newcomer to Canada regardless of immigration status (this includes, immigrant, permanent residents, temporary residents, refugees, international students, etc.) who also identifies as a member of the LGBTQIA+ community.
    • must be 18 years and older
    • We are currently piloting these services in the city of St. John’s, but we aim to expand in-person service delivery to more communities across Newfoundland and Labrador in the future.
  • Additional opportunities for LGBTQIA+ Newcomers: Project Advisory Committee to inform and guide this project with their lived experience. Email us at kimberly@ywcastjohns.ca or call us at (709) 726-9922 for more information

National Emergency Survivor Support Fund (NESSFund)

  • This initiative provides women and gender diverse people and their families with financial support to leave unsafe homes or emergency shelter/ precarious housing situations to begin their healing journey  
  • How to apply for support contact Ashley Tiller at december6@ywcastjohns.ca or text/call at (782) 414-5715.
  • click here to Donate to the NESSFund 

Circle of Distinction Awards: 

  • COD Awards are designed to celebrate the achievements of women and give them a platform to share their stories in a way that empowers, inspires and motivates others to learn, achieve and participate. Nominations may be made by any member of the public. 
  • COD categories:
    • Trailblazer award: nominees age 18-24 who already making significant contributions to their community
    • Social Justice and Advocacy Award: speaking on systemic injustice and make change toward equality in community
    • Equity at work award: employers that model and uphold equitable practice’s, making a difference for workers and community
    • Inspired innovation award: nominees whose field of study includes but not exclusive to health, science, arts, or community
    • Lifetime achievement award: aged 60+ who have made significant contributions in their community over the course of their lives.
  • Advocacy: YWCA’s creates change through informed advocacy which aims to:
    • End gender-based violence
    • implement national childcare
    • Achieve economic equality
    • End homelessness for women, girls, and gender diverse folks

Financial Empowerment Services

Help to create a safer and shame-free space for conversations about money.

We can support women, gender diverse folks and 2SLGBTQIA+ newcomers with:

  • Access to government programs and services (EI, Income Support, CPP)

  • Navigating financial institutions and personal finances (budgeting, banking, credit, debt)

  • Free year-round tax filing back to 2014

  • If you have any questions or would like to book an appointment with our Financial Empowerment Coordinator, Rosie Myers, reach out using the contact information below:

    Call or text: (709) 771-7454

    Email: rosie@ywcastjohns.ca

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