About
YWCA Hamilton changes the lives of the city’s most vulnerable women, girls and gender-diverse people. From new moms and babies, to isolated seniors, to to newcomer women starting over in Canada, to women and gender diverse people struggling with homelessness and violence, YWCA Hamilton helps women rebuild their lives and move from poverty to possibility every day.
Founded in 1889, YWCA Hamilton delivers a wide range of critical programs and services, encompassing women’s housing, child care and youth, employment, health and wellness, and developmental services. Through our work, we impact more than 10,000 women, girls and gender-diverse people each year, with a focus on serving people from racialized communities, those dealing with the impacts of homelessness, poverty, and trauma, and those struggling with systemic barriers to employment and financial security. With core values rooted in feminism, inclusion, and innovation, YWCA Hamilton provides a diverse range of programs and is committed to building equitable communities and changing lives. YWCA programs are inclusive of all women, non-binary, gender fluid and trans individuals of all genders.
At our core:
- 130+ years serving women, girls and gender-diverse people in Hamilton
- 10,000+ people impacted through 60+ programs & services
- 30+ community based locations
- 500 staff & 250 + volunteers championing our mission
Our Impact
YWCA Hamilton strengthens women’s and girls’ and gender-diverse peoples’ voices, broadens their choices, builds dynamic leadership and provides essential and meaningful services that promote safe, inclusive, and equitable communities. We do this by building strong leaders, advancing food security, providing solutions to end homelessness, delivering quality, inclusive child care and youth services, supporting survivors of violence, and advancing women’s economic justice.
Some of our 2021-22 accomplishments include:
- Combatting food insecurity by providing 63,124 meals provided to women, gender-diverse people and families
- 1,400 connections through Instagram made by speqtrum’s check-in staff, supporting Two-Spirit and LGBTQIA+ youth
- 1,000+ hours of telephone support and check-ins provided to remote seniors by staff and volunteers
- 230+ women and non-binary people experiencing homelessness accessed barrier-free health care services at Women’s Health Day in December and March
- 287 children received quality, inclusive childcare through Children’s Services across 11 locations
- 28 individuals received 24-hour support, 7 days a week by dedicated essential front-line staff within Group Living Homes
- 278 women upskilled and/ or reskilled in advanced manufacturing or data science through certification mentorship and job coaching
The scope of our impact is wide-reaching, as we continue to be there for those who need us most.
