Newfoundland and Labrador Feminist Organizations Call for Full and Permanent Ceasefire in the Occupied Palestinian Territories

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This coalition, formed during the 2023 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, aims to strengthen collective advocacy among provincial organizations, linking local and global struggles for justice and urging provincial leaders to speak out against violence and oppression It’s been over a year since YWCA St. John’s saw the potential for a provincial coalition following a similar call from national groups. As organizations committed to gender equity, we know armed conflict has a disproportionate gendered impact.


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Feminist Coalition Statement

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Over the course of the #16DaysofActivism against Gender-Based Violence, this coalition formed to strengthen the collective advocacy of provincial organizations and lead the sector to make connections between global injustice and the need to advocate provincial leaders to speak out against violence.

We hope this empowers others to use their platforms to advocate for peace.

Phone Zap for NL Child Care: Hosted by Child Care Now - Newfoundland and Labrador

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What is a Phone Zap?

A phone zap is an advocacy tactic where a group of people call a target (such as a politician), simultaneously and leave a prepared message requesting a response to an issue or demand. This tactic is useful as it helps advocates make sure their voices are heard. Policymakers often pay more attention to phone calls from constituents than they do to emails or letters.

Who is this webinar for?

Parents, caregivers, child care workers, advocates, grandparents, academics, employers, and anyone concerned with building a province-wide early learning and childcare system in NL.

 What Child Care Now NL is calling for:

  •  A province-wide system of early learning and childcare that is affordable, high quality, inclusive, and available to all kids in Newfoundland and Labrador;

  • Dignified working conditions and fair and competitive compensation for early childhood educators, including health and dental benefits.

Join Child Care Now NL for an empowering webinar on child care advocacy, featuring Morna Ballantyne, Executive Director of Child Care Now, a national organization dedicated to advocating for a publicly funded, inclusive, quality, non-profit child care system.

Date: July 13, 2023

Time: 8-9pm NDT

Location: This is an online event happening remotely via Zoom.

Morna Ballantyne is the Executive Director of Child Care Advocacy Association of Canada. Morna has many years of experience as a child care advocate and a 30 year legacy in public policy, advocacy, and government relations. She has led and managed several national organizations in Canada, and is a skilled political and organizational strategist.

In this webinar, you’ll learn about Child Care Now’s “Early learning and child care for all” tool kit for advocacy. The webinar will feature a short presentation, a Q&A session, and a call to action. Together, we will call our elected representatives, leaving voicemail messages demanding action on child care (a Phone Zap). Attendees will be provided phone numbers and a script.

Complete our Survey on Childcare

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Please complete this survey so we can build solutions that respond to community need.

YWCA St. John’s is invested in ensuring that families have access to quality childcare.

We have worked collaboratively with community partners to explore home-based daycare as a means to alleviate the childcare crisis while also supporting newcomer women as entrepreneurs. YWCA’s are also the second largest childcare provider in Canada and we are a part of a national movement advocating for affordable childcare.

We know access to childcare is limited despite the $10/day agreement. This impacts social and economic equity for women, gender-diverse folks, and families. We see this everyday in our programs. We also know the current childcare crisis is impacting access to decent work for ECE’s. This is all a part of gender equity.

Participants Needed for Research on LGBTQ+ Newcomer Settlement and Integration in NL

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If you answer “yes” to these questions, we want to hear from you!

  • Are you age 18 and older?

  • Are you a newcomer to Canada currently living in NL?

  • Do you identify as a member of the LGBTQ+ community?

  • Do you speak and understand some English?

Focus groups may occur in person or remotely via Zoom. Zoom participants must turn on their cameras. Requests for one-on-one interviews will be accommodated. Participants will be required to confirm that they are free of COVID-19 symptoms prior to in-person interviews. When space allows, the mask can be removed for clear audio recording. In areas with limited space, both the participant and researcher will wear masks. Demographic and health information will be requested prior to the interview. Participants will be compensated with a $50 honourarium. Translation services will be provided for focus groups and interviews with advance notice. Please discuss your anticipated need for this service with the researcher. Participation in focus groups is not anonymous, and the research team cannot guarantee that participants will protect one another’s confidentiality.

Participation is not a requirement of any organizations or groups that may distribute the study and recruitment documents on behalf of the research team. Your decision to participate, or not, will not impact membership and/or any services and/or programs that you may access, and will not be reported to anyone.

The proposal for this research has been reviewed by the Interdisciplinary Committee on Ethics in Human Research (ICEHR) and found to be in compliance with Memorial University’s ethics policy. If you have ethical concerns about the research, such as the way you have been treated or your rights as a participant, you may contact the Chairperson of the ICEHR at icehr@mun.ca or by telephone at (709) 864-2861

Are you a service provider working in a settlement or LGBTQ+-focused organization? Click here to learn about participating in our study as a service provider.

If you are interested in participating in this study, or would like more information, please contact:

Dr. Sulaimon Giwa
School of Social Work, Memorial University
+1 (819) 319-9832
sgiwa@mun.ca

*LGBTQ+ refers to sexual and gender minorities who selfidentify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and plus.

Settlement and LGBTQ+ Service Providers Needed for Research on LGBTQ+ Newcomer Settlement and Integration in NL

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If you answer “yes” to these questions, we want to hear from you!

  • Are you age 18 and older?

  • Do you work for a settlement organization and provide settlement services to newcomers?

  • Do you work for an LGBTQ+ organization and does your organization plan to or currently provide LGBTQ+ services to newcomers?

  • Do you speak and understand English?

The principal investigator of this study is Dr. Sulaimon Giwa, Memorial University. All contact will be confidential and participation is voluntary.

Individual interview and/or focus group may occur in person or remotely via Zoom, at participants’ convenience. Zoom participants must turn on their cameras. Participants will be required to confirm that they are free of COVID-19 symptoms prior to in-person interviews. When space allows, the mask can be removed for clear audio recording. In areas with limited space, both the participant and researcher will wear masks. Participation is not a requirement of any organizations or groups that may distribute the study and recruitment documents on behalf of the research team. Your decision to participate or not is not a job requirement and will not impact employment. Participation in focus groups is not anonymous, and the research team cannot guarantee that participants will protect one another’s confidentiality.

The proposal for this research has been reviewed by the Interdisciplinary Committee on Ethics in Human Research (ICEHR) and found to be in compliance with Memorial University’s ethics policy. If you have ethical concerns about the research, such as the way you have been treated or your rights as a participant, you may contact the Chairperson of the ICEHR at icehr@mun.ca or by telephone at (709) 864-2861.

If you are interested in participating in this study, or would like more information, please contact:

Kimberly Offspring

2SLGBTQIA+ Services Coordinator, YWCA St. John’s

(709) 769-6649

kimberly@ywcastjohns.ca

*LGBTQ+ refers to sexual and gender minorities who self-identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and plus.

CBC CrossTalk Interview with Maria Gentle, YWCA St. John's

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Check out this interview with our new Executive Director, Maria Gentle, talking with Adam Walsh (CBC CrossTalk) about our programs, and celebrating success for women and gender-diverse folks through the YWCA St. John’s Circle of Distinction Awards.

Link to interview: https://bit.ly/3CHcCVR

Nominate someone who has broken down barriers and overcome obstacles to make a difference in the lives of others at https://www.ywcastjohns.com/cod

Deadline for nominations: May 31st, 2023

Circle of Distinction 2023: Call for Nominations!

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The deadline to submit your nominations is May 31st, 2023

Formerly called the Women of Distinction Awards, the YWCA St. John’s Circle of Distinction Awards is a widening of our community of excellence to celebrate the achievements of women and gender-diverse people. The Awards provide a platform to celebrate and share empowering stories of women and gender-diverse people that will inspire others to learn, achieve, and participate. Within their respective domains, nominees are those who break barriers and overcome obstacles to make a difference in the lives of others.

Before completing the application, all nominators should read the Nomination Package, which outlines the award categories, the nomination process, and important tips for creating a successful nomination. To review this package, please click here. 

To access the online application, please click here. Please note that you CANNOT save responses in this application without submitting. For this reason, we recommend that nominators complete a draft of the nomination form in this Nomination Template so that progress can be saved over time. While all nominations are to be submitted online through the link above, this document can be used as a tool to prepare responses before completing the online submission.

In addition to completing the online form, nominators must forward the following three documents via e-mail to cod@ywcastjohns.ca with the subject line "COD Nomination for (Name of Nominee)”:

1) A letter of support from a friend, colleague, etc.; someone other than the nominator. The letter should be no longer than one full page. For the Equity at Work Award nominations only, please include two (2) two letters of support from current employees of the nominee.

2) A recent, high resolution digital photo of the nominee. In the case of a business nominee, submit a recent high resolution digital photo that reflects the nominee’s work culture and/or workforce, as well as .jpeg or .png file of the company's logo.

3) A completed and signed Nominee Consent Form.

Questions? Email cod@ywcastjohns.ca or call our office: +1 (709) 726-9922.

We're Hiring: Youth Employment Program Coordinator

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Interested in working to support women and gender diverse folks in achieving economic security? We’re hiring a Youth Employment Program Coordinator!

Learn more here: https://bit.ly/3jp4nar

Key Objectives/Primary Duties:

  • Leading participant recruitment and selection, program curriculum organizing and planning, and employability skills workshop facilitation.

  • Providing individual support to youth participants, as well as delivering workshops and support to individuals in the community.

  • Working collaboratively with the Work Transition Facilitator and team

Please send your cover letter and resume to maria@ywcastjohns.ca. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. For any questions or accommodations in the application process, please email maria@ywcastjohns.ca. No phone calls please.

The successful candidate will be committed to working from an anti-oppression, intersectional feminist perspective. We encourage women, non-binary, and gender diverse individuals who are Indigenous, Black, from racialized communities, from 2SLGBTQIA+ communities, newcomers and/or Immigrants, individuals living with disAbilities, and folks from other marginalized communities to apply.

National Emergency Support Fund - How to Support the Fund

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What is the NESS Fund?

The NESS Fund provides one-time financial support of up to $1,000 to survivors of gender-based violence to help them leave abusive living conditions, leave emergency shelters or leave precarious living situations like staying temporarily with friends/family or living unhoused.

Who can apply for the NESS Fund?

The fund is open to women, trans, Two-Spirit or gender-diverse people 16 years of age or older. Applicants must be seeking support to leave abusive living conditions, emergency shelters or precarious housing conditions (staying with family/friends; couch-surfing or living unhoused) they were accessing as a result of experiencing violence.

What does gender-based violence mean?

Gender-based violence is an umbrella term describing harmful acts directed at an individual based on their gender. It is rooted in gender inequality, the abuse of power and harmful norms. This includes domestic violence and abuse, intimate-partner violence and family violence.

What can the fund be used for?

The fund is intended to help survivors to leave violence and establish safe, stable housing. You can apply for help with:

  • First and last month’s rent;

  • Rental arrears that prevent applicants from signing a new lease;

  • Set up expenses for utilities;

  • Utilities arrears that prevent applicants from setting up new utility contracts;

  • Moving expenses;

  • Storage expenses;

  • Essential furniture for a new home;

  • Travel expenses;

  • Gender-affirming care and services as needed by trans, Two-Spirit or gender-diverse people;

  • Expenses related to attaining permanent resident status or Canadian citizenship; and/or,

  • Other essential expenses related to leaving violence and establishing safe, stable housing.

How can I help?

Right now, the project is equipped to provide 1500 grants over the next 4 years in 12 regions across the country. We know we need to do much more to meet the needs of survivors nationwide. By donating, you’re standing with survivors. You can make your gift here: https://ywcacanada.ca/?form=nessf.

If you want the funds to stay in the St. John’s community, please make note of this in the comment section.

Looking for ways your company, workplace or community group can support? Please contact Deanne at 709-726-9922 or deanne@ywcastjohns.ca.