Women's Centre of Calgary
39 - 4 St NE T2E 3R6 Calgary, AB, Canada

The Women's Centre is open by phone only this week. Please call us Monday - Thursday 9:30am - 4:30pm for supports over the phone or to book an appointment. We will re-open for in-person appointments (pending government restrictions) on Monday, January 11. Hours of Operation (after January 11)... Mondays 9:30 A.M. 4:30 P.M. Tuesdays 9:30 A.M. 8:30 P.M. Wednesdays 9:30 A.M. 8:30 P.M. Thursdays 9:30 A.M. -8:30 P.M. Please call 403-264-1155.

Girls Programs are back in January! The Girls Programs provide girls-only, safe spaces where they can learn and share knowledge about leadership, activism and community building. We facilitate various activities that include music, crafts, dancing, discussions and, most importantly, girls-led sessions that allow girls to exercise their leadership skills. Topics will include gender stereotypes, reconciliation, current events, social activism, mental health, fitness and other t...hemes girls are most interested in. The programs are absolutely free! Please contact [email protected] for registration. *Due to rising Covid-19 concerns in Alberta, all in-person programs will be held online from January to March. We hope to move back to in-person by April. Any events held in-person will follow up to date Alberta Health Guidelines.

Thank you so much to Eden for organizing a toy drive with her personal connections and network. We really appreciate this generous gift! This support will go a long way to ensuring another successful Toy Room program this year.

December 10 is #HumanRightsDay. The theme for 2020 is Recover Better - Stand Up for Human Rights. From the United Nations website: "Human Rights must be at the centre of the post COVID-19 world. ... The COVID-19 crisis has been fuelled by deepening poverty, rising inequalities, structural and entrenched discrimination and other gaps in human rights protection. Only measures to close these gaps and advance human rights can ensure we fully recover and build back a world that is better, more resilient, just, and sustainable. End discrimination of any kind: Structural discrimination and racism have fuelled the COVID-19 crisis. Equality and non-discrimination are core requirements for a post-COVID world. Address inequalities: To recover from the crisis, we must also address the inequality pandemic. For that, we need to promote and protect economic, social, and cultural rights. We need a new social contract for a new era. Encourage participation and solidarity: We are all in this together. From individuals to governments, from civil society and grass-roots communities to the private sector, everyone has a role in building a post-COVID world that is better for present and future generations. We need to ensure the voices of the most affected and vulnerable inform the recovery efforts. Promote sustainable development: We need sustainable development for people and planet. Human rights, the 2030 Agenda and the Paris Agreement are the cornerstone of a recovery that leaves no one behind."

Our Toy Room Program will run from December 8 - 22. We are asking for your support with donations to ensure we can meet the need this year. If you are unable to donate, but would like to support this program we also have opportunities for volunteers. For full details check out the attached poster or visit our website: https://www.womenscentrecalgary.org/donate/toy-room/

You’ve read the books, you’ve attended the trainings what anti-racist action can you take next? Join this online panel and discussion to learn from long-time community activists about our herstories of anti-racist and decolonial organizing in Calgary over the years. Panel members will share their victories, struggles and share wisdom for how we can continue to make anti-racist change today. Details and event sign-up on the link below:

Girls empowering girls to break the glass ceiling #wise_wednesdays Girls-led sessions are an integral part of our program and we are proud and humbled to have girls share their knowledge with us this fall. ... We will be back next year in 2021, with resilience, self-care and an innate drive to change the world DM or Contact: [email protected] to stay connected! #girlpower #girlforce #canadianwomensfoundation #cityofcalgary #girlsprogram #online #afterschool

We are no longer accepting women for drop-in appointments. Due to rising COVID numbers we have switched back to appointments only to visit the Centre. Please call us 403-264-1155 to schedule your visit. We have also switched all in-person workshops to online. You can view our calendar and register for program on our website here: https://www.womenscentrecalgary.org/calendar/

The staff team from Calgary Co-op dropped off donations for our Holiday Toy Room program. They also raised funds and gift cards to donate to the Centre. Thank you for this support! Your gift will help us continue to provide support, connection and community to women in Calgary.

Let's keep the (online) connection going! Please join us this Thursday with your cup of tea or coffee for an online Together Again Meetup through Zoom. Full details and registration available on our website: https://www.womenscentrecalgary.org//together-/2020-12-10/

November is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. We are hosting our training workshop: Violence Against Women on Thursday, November 19. Learn about what constitutes violence against women, systemic forces that make some women more at risk of experiencing violence, and the ways we can address violence and offer help to women who are experiencing it. For more details and to register please visit our event link below:

September is #ClimateAction month and KAIROS: Canadian Ecumenical Justice Initiatives is hosting a free online, documentary screening: Women Hold Up the Sky: Film Screening and Discussion. Women Hold Up the Sky tells the story of how women activists affected by mining and other forms of large-scale extractives in South Africa, Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) are deeply engaged in resistance and an active struggle to take back control of their land, thei...r rights, their bodies and their lives. Join the event tomorrow, September 22 @ 5:00pm (MST) to view the film and take part in discussion. Visit the link below for details and to register:

Our in-person spaces for this event are now full, BUT you can still participate remotely! We will live stream this workshop via Zoom for those who could not participate in person. Sign up at the event link below to receive access and join us on Tuesday, September 29 @1pm (MST) for this special Orange Shirt Awareness Day event.

Join us on the last Wednesday of every month for Creative Women Power. Together we will connect with other women, share our skills, and learn from each other. The topic and activity for this workshop will be announced soon! This workshop will be held in-person at the Womens Centre while following Alberta Health guidelines. Unfortunately, due to the COVID-19 pandemic child-minding will not be available during this workshop. For details and to register please visit our website: https://www.womenscentrecalgary.org//creative-women-power/

There is still time to sign up to attend our Women and Water: Social and Indigenous Perspectives event. We are honored to have speakers Marsha Heavyhead, Environmental Technician for the Blood Tribe Land Management Department along with Grace Wark, Conservation Specialist for the Alberta Wilderness Association for an evening of story telling and discussion on community water issues. Please register on the Facebook event page link below and join us at 6pm (MST)

The CIF Reconciliation Society invites everyone to take part in Pokaiks - the Children Walk & Events on Saturday, September 26 @ 10am. This event is a public commemorative walk for survivors of residential school system and Sixties Scoop.

Lockdowns put a pause on cleanups from March through July and environmental groups say we have a lot of catching up to do. #WorldCleanUpDay takes place September 19. You are invited to join some Calgary folks tomorrow at 4:20pm at the Peace Bridge to help clean up the river and surrounding areas. Event details: https://allevents.in//world-clean-up-day-c/200020144508114

New on the Women's Centre website: We've curated a Resources page on the Unequal Impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. There are also plans and reports on how we can move forward to a more equal recovery. #GenderEqualityWeek... Read: https://www.womenscentrecalgary.org/covid-19/resources/

Please join us for Women and Water: Social and Indigenous Perspectives. The Womens Centre of Calgary is hosting an event on Wednesday, September 23 to celebrate and share stories of how water is being used, and the ways our communities come together to protect access to clean drinking water. We are honored to have speakers Marsha Heavyhead, Environmental Technician for the Blood Tribe Land Management Department along with Grace Wark, Conservation Specialist for the Alberta ...Wilderness Association for an evening of story telling and discussion on community water issues. For details and to register please visit our FB event page below:

"It is estimated that two-thirds of all Indigenous communities in Canada have been under at least one drinking water advisory at some time in the last decade." (Source: https://ecojustice.ca/world-water-day-the-state-of-drinkin/) Event reminder: Women and Water: Social and Indigenous Perspectives takes place this Wednesday (online via Zoom) at 6pm MST. Make sure you register to secure your spot: https://www.womenscentrecalgary.org/event/women-and-water/

"I came to the Womens Centre because of the approach and impact they have in the community they serve. To empower a woman is to empower her community. I am a true believer of this statement and to work for an agency that practices this model is not only a plus, but a privilege." New on the blog, meet Erika, our new Basic Needs Coordinator.

ICYMI: According to a survey conducted with organizations who work with gender-based violence, nearly half of the respondents reported changes in the prevalence and the severity of violence, and almost all said they had to make at least one significant service change due to the pandemic. https://globalnews.ca//pandemic-national-survey-gender-ba/

Join us for an afternoon with an Indigenous facilitator, who will explore the impacts of Residential Schools and Intergenerational Trauma on Indigenous Peoples. Participants will have a chance to listen and learn, and ask questions. The session will finish with an activity to commemorate the Orange Shirt Day. This workshop will be held in-person at the Womens Centre while following Alberta Health guidelines. We have also provided an option to join online. To register, plea...se visit: https://www.womenscentrecalgary.org//a-reconciliation-eve/ or email [email protected]. This workshop is open to women-identifying individuals only. There is a misconception out there that this is only First Nations history. It is part of Canadian history. All Canadians have a responsibility to learn about what happened in the residential schools. Doing so will help the general population understand First Nations people better. There are still a lot of misconceptions, negativity, and hostility towards First Nations people. This is a positive step towards building a more authentic relationship. When we understand each other better we can move forward together. Dr. Wenona Victor, UFV Indigenous Studies instructor.

Please join us for Women and Water: Social and Indigenous Perspectives. The Women's Centre of Calgary is hosting an event on Wednesday, September 23 to celebrate and share stories of how water is being used, and the ways our communities come together to protect access to clean drinking water. We are honored to have speakers Marsha Heavyhead, Environmental Technician for the Blood Tribe Land Management Department along with Grace Wark, Conservation Specialist for the Alberta ...Wilderness Association for an evening of story telling and discussion on community water issues. For details and to register please visit our FB event page below:

The inaugural project Basic Income Through the Lens of the Disabled, Deaf, and Mad brings together talented community artists with disabilities (AWD) to share their perspective on basic income.This online event will also feature our Artist in Residence Penny Gunderson Artist. The Basic Income YYC Arts Collective is an initiative by Basic Income Calgary made possible by the Calgary Foundation Neighbourhood grant and a Calgary Arts Development project grant. Check out event details at the link below:

"During the pandemic, the need for community is that much more important in building relationships and accessing supports." New on the blog: Meet Allison, our new Basic Needs Coordinator!

"If we dont get women back to work in the types of numbers we saw before we wont get the economic growth that we really need." ICYMI: Read this article outlining how the COVID-19 pandemic has disproportionately impacted women in the workforce. https://www.cbc.ca//women-employment-covid-economy-1.56854

"If we don't get women back to work in the types of numbers we saw before we won't get the economic growth that we really need." ICYMI: Read this article outlining how the COVID-19 pandemic has disproportionately impacted women in the workforce. https://www.cbc.ca//women-employment-covid-economy-1.56854

Fall Girls Programs are back and this week we kick off with the in-person programs! We are excited to be offering three programs (online and in-person options) for girls this fall! The programs are absolutely free, and include supplies, snacks, and bus tickets (for in-person options). Our Programs offer opportunities for girls in grades 5-9 to learn and share knowledge about leadership within a safe, girls-only community space. Girls will explore topics such as gender stereo...types, body image, reconciliation, other topics of their choice, and do fun activities like crafts, music and dancing. They will also have opportunities to use leadership skills by leading sessions or activities. Please note: we have implemented safety protocols and will follow the provincial guidelines to ensure optimal safety for the participants, staff, and volunteers. For more details and to register please contact Era: [email protected]

Our volunteer program is up and running as we resume extended opening hours. We would like to welcome back our old volunteers and invite new volunteers to join us! If you are interested in volunteering please check out the list of opportunities below or visit: https://www.womenscentrecalgary.org/volunteer/. Currently we are looking for:... - peer support volunteers - legal assistants - bakery items pick up (Wednesdays) We have implemented safety and cleaning procedures to ensure that everyone remain safe at the Womens Centre during the pandemic. If you would like more details about our safety measures, or the volunteer positions, please contact Allison at, [email protected] We hope you continue to stay safe and we look forward to seeing you soon!

Registration is now open for our September 23 discussion, Women and Water: Social and Indigenous Perspectives. This event will be held to celebrate and share stories of how water is being used, and the ways our communities come together to protect access to clean drinking water. We are honored to have speakers Marsha Heavyhead, Environmental Technician for the Blood Tribe Land Management Department along with Grace Wark, Conservation Specialist for the Alberta Wilderness Ass...ociation for an evening of story telling and discussion on community water issues. For more details and to register, please check out the FB event below:

ICYMI: The deadline to apply to sit on a City of Calgary Your Local Government board, commission or committee is tomorrow September 11! Gain great experience and make a meaningful contribution to your City! Were looking for diverse Calgarians (that means you!) to volunteer for positions on 20 different Boards, Commissions and Committees.... What does a Board, Commission or Committee volunteer role involve? A variety of tasks, but mainly to provide guidance and recommendations to City Council on topics related to finance, accessibility, planning and urban issues, social wellbeing and much more. For a list of boards with vacancies and eligibility requirements, visit www.calgary.ca/boards

Fall Girls Programs are back! We are excited to be offering three programs (online and in-person options) for girls this fall! The programs are absolutely free, and include supplies, snacks, and bus tickets. The Girls Programs offer opportunities for girls in grades 5-9 to learn and share knowledge about leadership, activism, and community building within a safe, girls-only space. Girls will explore topics such as gender stereotypes, body image, reconciliation, current event...s, and more, based on their interest, and will also have opportunities to lead sessions or activities to exercise their leadership skills. They will also engage in fun activities such as music, crafts, dancing or yoga. Please note: we have implemented safety protocols and will follow the provincial guidelines to ensure optimal safety for the participants, staff, and volunteers. For more details and to register please contact Era: [email protected]

In person taxes support return September 9. We are offering support to women filing their taxes on Wednesday evenings from 5-8pm. These sessions are drop-in only and first come, first served. Women will also be asked COVID-19 screening questions at the door before they can enter the Centre. If you have any questions/concerns please call us 403-264-1155.

Reminder: we will be closed on Monday, September 7 for the Labour Day long weekend. We will re-open on Tuesday, September 8 at 9:30 A.M. by appointment and with new, extended hours of service. Please visit our website for contact and hours: https://www.womenscentrecalgary.org/contact-us/

Todays #tbt is to our Feminist Walk event held on August 15th. Almost 40 participants joined us! Women and girls spoke at various stops along the way on feminist issues and examining the community through a gender+ lens. Participants wore masks and hand sanitizer was available. Feedback was amazing, and participants expressed their desire for more community events.

We are now able to recruit and train new volunteers! We have implemented safety and cleaning protocols in the Centre to keep volunteers and women safe. Thank you for your interest in supporting the Womens Centre and women in the community.... Opportunities are available for: Peer Support Volunteers Legal Assistants Wednesday Bread Pickup Please contact Allison: [email protected] for details on available opportunities. Or, visit our volunteer sign-up portal link below: https://www.womenscentrecalgary.org/volunteer/

Today's #tbt is to our Feminist Walk event held on August 15th. Almost 40 participants joined us! Women and girls spoke at various stops along the way on feminist issues and examining the community through a gender+ lens. Participants wore masks and hand sanitizer was available. Feedback was amazing, and participants expressed their desire for more community events.

As of Tuesday, September 8 we will be open for appointments extended hours: Mondays 9:30 A.M. - 4:30 P.M., Tuesdays - Thursdays 9:30 A.M - 8:30 P.M. We will also offer some workshops in-person as well as continue some online. Please call us (403)264-1155, or visit our website for more details. We continue to be open for in-person services by appointment Monday-Thursday 9:30 A.M. - 3:30 P.M. We can provide support for personal care items, legal advice, and some referrals, like the Food Bank and Dress for Success. During the appointment time women can also use the computer, phone, or sit and have coffee. Women are also now encouraged to bring a friend to the Centre if you like. We will continue to ask the COVID-19 screening questions at the door and request everyone please wear a mask while at the Centre.

We are excited to be offering three programs (online and in-person options) for girls this fall! The programs are absolutely free, and include supplies, snacks, and bus tickets. The Girls Programs offer opportunities for girls in grades 5-9 to learn and share knowledge about leadership, activism, and community building within a safe, girls-only space. Girls will explore topics such as gender stereotypes, body image, reconciliation, current events, and more based on their int...erest, and will also have opportunities to lead sessions or activities to exercise their leadership skills. They will also engage in fun activities such as music, crafts, dancing or yoga. Please note: we have implemented safety protocols and will follow the Provincial COVID-19 guideline to ensure optimal safety for the participants, staff, and volunteers. Registration forms available today. Please contact [email protected] to register!

Our ID Clinic has been rescheduled to Wednesday Sept 9, 1:30-2:00 pm. We have spots for 5 women and will be first come first served. You will need to answer our COVID-19 screening questions before coming into the Centre. If you have questions please call us: 403-264-1155.

We are once again recruiting volunteers at the Womens Centre. We have implemented safety protocols and cleaning procedures to ensure that our volunteers and women feel safe and supported. If you are interested in making a difference in the lives of women in your community please visit our website for details or contact our Volunteer Coordinator, Carole: [email protected]. https://www.womenscentrecalgary.org/volunteer/

Thank you to the donors who have chipped in for kids already! Theres still time to donate. Text KIDS202 to 30333 before August 30 to donate $10 and both @ShawCharityClassic and Shaw Communications will match your donation to the Womens Centres Girls Programs. This means that an individual text donation of $10 can grow into a donation of $30! #ChipinforKids

Todays #tbt is a thanks to all of you who were able to join us last week for our online Annual General Meeting. We had 34 women attend, and even though we kept to the business at hand we were happy to see friendly and familiar faces again as well as some new ones! If you missed it and would like to review our 2019 Annual Report online, please visit the Womens Centre website: https://www.womenscentrecalgary.org//Annual-Report-2019.pdf.

The installment for the Unsettling Webinar series takes place today! Wednesday August 26th at 5pm(MST) join a discussion with guest speaker, a settler and ally, Marlo Turner Ritchie, to explore above-average actions the average settler can take in furthering reconciliation efforts in our local communities. For for details and to register visit: ... https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/unsettling-webinar-2-with-marlo See more

We are once again recruiting volunteers at the Women's Centre. We have implemented safety protocols and cleaning procedures to ensure that our volunteers and women feel safe and supported. If you are interested in making a difference in the lives of women in your community please visit our website for details or contact our Volunteer Coordinator, Carole: [email protected]. https://www.womenscentrecalgary.org/volunteer/

Theres still time to sign up for our Community Waste Exploration workshop this evening! You will learn exactly what should go into your residential recycling, compost and garbage carts. And, if you wonder why there are so many rules around it all, you will learn why and the fascinating science behind it. This program will empower you to properly manage your household waste and live more sustainably. You will receive a Waste Journal Guide supplied with tools and tips to help you create a personalized action plan and track behaviour change towards a more zero waste lifestyle. Join us online viz Zoom. For details and to register visit the event link below:

Thank you to the donors who have chipped in for kids already! There's still time to donate. Text KIDS202 to 30333 before August 30 to donate $10 and both @ShawCharityClassic and Shaw Communications will match your donation to the Women's Centre's Girls Programs. This means that an individual text donation of $10 can grow into a donation of $30! #ChipinforKids

Applications for the Prepare Her 2020 program hosted through Ask Her are now open! Prepare Her is a multi-module, hands-on program that helps potential candidates build the necessary skills, acumen, and leadership to execute a successful campaign or simply go deeper in effective civic engagement. This training is specifically designed to address the unique barriers faced by potential candidates and to meaningfully support womxn with relevant, timely, and foundational skills... and experience to ensure a successful campaign. For more details or to apply please visit: https://askheryyc.org/prepare-her

Today's #tbt is a thanks to all of you who were able to join us last week for our online Annual General Meeting. We had 34 women attend, and even though we kept to the business at hand we were happy to see friendly and familiar faces again as well as some new ones! If you missed it and would like to review our 2019 Annual Report online, please visit the Women's Centre website: https://www.womenscentrecalgary.org//Annual-Report-2019.pdf.