YWCA Halifax: We Continue to Serve in COVID19

April 9, 2020

Sometimes history’s long view is the perspective we need today.

YWCA Halifax has been serving our community for nearly 150 years.  To put this into perspective, we supported women and girls in Halifax during both World Wars, the Spanish Flu outbreak of 1918 and the peak of polio in the early 20th century.  We’ve been a key resource for women and girls as far back as when Canada’s second Prime Minister Alexander Mackenzie was in office although always evolving to respond to emerging and new needs.

And so it is that we continue to serve diverse women and girls, non-binary and trans people, families and men through COVID19.  While we talk about the new normal, some things have never changed.  No matter what is happening in the world, YWCA Halifax is here and is helping.

For most Haligonians, you may never need one of the YWCA’s five housing programs for young mothers, women experiencing homelessness, or youth who have been trafficked, but our programs are running and working to meet these needs.

We offer employment and business programs for women receiving income assistance and women new to Canada.  And we financially support women looking to leave violence.  In fact, there is a critical need for this program right now.

Our childcare workers are in touch with families, preparing programs and running playgroups online.

Our staff are working hard to serve our community because they are invaluable to our collective well-being, especially now.

For all of us working at the YWCA, we serve because we believe that the needs of women, girls, and diverse community members are our priority.  For me, it’s because I want to make sure that no one is left behind.  

While it might look a little different, the YWCA is here.  And while these are unprecedented times, our history tells us that our brightest future will come when we work together and support each other.  We’re ready.

Thank you for those who continue to support our efforts. We appreciate your confidence in us.

Miia Suokonautio

Executive Director

YWCA Halifax