National Emergency Survivors Support Fund - Applying For Support

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What is the NESS Fund?

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

Who can apply for YWCA’s NESS Fund?

The fund is open to women, trans, Two-Spirit or gender-diverse people who are 16 years of age or older. Applicants must be seeking support to leave abusive living conditions, leave emergency shelters or precarious housing conditions (staying with family/friends; couch-surfing or living unhoused) they were accessing as a result of experiencing violence.
At this time, the fund is only available for folks living in the St. John’s Metro Region.

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 arears that prevent you from signing a new lease;

  • Set up expenses for utilities;

  • Utilities (hydro, internet, phone) arrears that prevent you from setting up new utilities contracts;

  • Moving expenses;

  • Storage expense;

  • Essential furniture for a new home;

  • Travel expenses (Bus, train, flight costs).

  • 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 do I apply for support?

To apply for the YWCA NESS Fund, please contact Rosie Myers at rosie@ywcastjohns.ca or text/call at (709) 771-7454.

I work with survivors; can I apply for support on their behalf?

Yes, please contact Rosie Myers at rosie@ywcastjohns.ca or text/call at (709) 771-7454.

Who do I contact if I have questions?

Please contact: Rosie Myers at rosie@ywcastjohns.ca or text/call at (709) 771-7454.

New Programs for LGBTQIA+ Newcomers!

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Are you an LGBTQIA+ Newcomer?

Join our Peer Support and Mentorship Programs!

(Stock image sourced from Disabled and Here)

Are you interested in support and community connections? Contact YWCA St. John’s or register online to participate in peer support group meetings and one-on-one mentorship.

About Peer Support and Mentorship:

  • Peer support groups will be a confidential, non-judgmental space for participants to discuss shared experiences and support one another.

  • Mentorship provides one-on-one support from another LGBTQIA+ newcomer.

  • Some topics that peer support and mentorship can help with include: coming out, identity, settlement and integration, navigating local services, emotional support, etc.

  • YWCA St. John’s is currently seeking interested participants for these upcoming programs. For an informational phone call or to express your interest, email kimberly@ywcastjohns.ca or call or text (709) 769-6649. Online registration is also available here: https://forms.office.com/r/ZMtjeLtEUA

Upcoming Peer Support Group Meetings:

  • Dates: April 13th, May 11th, and June 8th 2023

  • Time: 6:00-7:30pm

  • Location: 291 Water Street, Suite 302 (4th floor, above the Merchant Tavern Restaurant)

  • To Attend: Register by contacting kimberly@ywcastjohns.ca / (709) 769-6649, or by completing the online registration form here. Drop-ins are also welcome!

Who are these programs for?

  • These services are open to newcomers to Canada, who also identify as members of the LGBTQIA+ community.

  • Participants must be over the age of 18

  • These programs are open to newcomers regardless of immigration status (this includes permanent residents, temporary residents, refugees, international students, etc.).

Click a language to download program posters: English, اَلْعَرَبِيَّةُ (Arabic), فارسی (Farsi)

We are currently piloting these services in St. John's, but we are exploring options for participants to join virtually from across the province. Individuals across the province may still register, and you will be contacted once this option is available. Throughout the project, we will be expanding in-person service delivery to more communities across Newfoundland and Labrador.

Volunteer applications are currently OPEN! To learn more and apply, click here to complete our online application. For questions or to apply over the phone, please email kimberly@ywcastjohns.ca or call 709-769-6649.

Programs are part of the "Fostering Collaboration" project, delivered by YWCA St. John's in partnership with Dr. Sulaimon Giwa of Memorial University's School of Social Work. This project is funded by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada.

*LGBTQIA+: refers to sexual and gender minorities who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning, intersex, and/or asexual, and plus.

*Newcomer: an individual who is new to Canada. (i.e. immigrants and refugees)

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Contact Us

To Learn More!

Email: kimberly@ywcastjohns.ca

Call or Text: (709) 769-6649

Expression of Interest: Perinatal Mental Health Alliance Coordination

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Deadline Extended Until September 24th, 2021

The Perinatal Mental Health Alliance of Newfoundland and Labrador (PMHANL) is looking for a highly qualified person to help develop a governance structure and a strategic plan. Over a 6-month period, the incumbent will meet with the volunteer board, members of the Alliance, and with other stakeholders in order to develop a plan that will guide future actions and sustainability of the Alliance.

Over the past few years there has been a growing interest in perinatal mental health in our province. The PMHANL was created by community-university partners of agencies, educators, health and social care professionals, and government leaders who want to address the gaps in programs, supports and services for mothers, infants and families. The Alliance aims to form new bridges and bring forward a unified response to a growing public health concern that can affect generations. The PMHANL is a group of like-minded, passionate individuals who have come together to help parents and families. We cross genders, gender identities, cultures, borders, institutions and communities, all with one goal in mind: to provide better healthcare for our parents, children and families. YWCA St. John’s is a key partner in supporting the PMHANL and will be the agency under which this contract is delivered.

To view the full Expression of Interest, click here.

NEW PROGRAM OFFERING: Creating Space - 2SLGBTQIA+ Leadership

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Creating Space begins next week, and we are SO excited! This program is for 2SLGBTQIA+ youth (and allies!) ages 15-18. Come meet like-minded peers, learn some new skills, and have a bit of fun!

REGISTER HERE: https://forms.office.com/r/VPtHivu2bM

For more information, email Jennifer Snow (she/they), Youth Programs Coordinator at YWCA St. John's: jennifer@ywcastjohns.ca

About Creating Space:

Creating Space is a leadership program for 2SLGBTQIA+ youth (ages 15-18). This program will support youth in developing their advocacy skills through a variety of workshops designed to inspire young change-makers to engage in civic leadership. The workshops will facilitate learnings on identifying issues and decision-makers; choosing a “medium” for advocacy campaigns; and will bring together mentors from the community with experience in activism, advocacy and civic leadership.

Creating Space (June 2021) will focus on 2SLGBTQIA+ leadership, providing an opportunity for 2SLGBTQIA+ youth to identify issues that are important to them/their community, and introducing youth to 2SLGBTQIA+ mentors. In the coming year (2021-2022) YWCA St. John’s will host additional Creating Space programs for youth who are interested in building their advocacy skills!

Live closed captioning will be available.

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YWCA St. John's Names Dr. Janice Fitzgerald the 2021 Honorary Woman of Distinction

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Happy International Women's Day!

Today, on International Women’s Day, YWCA is pleased to announce that Dr. Fitzgerald is the recipient of an honorary 2021 Woman of Distinction award. From the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Janice Fitzgerald has carried the province of Newfoundland and Labrador through distressing and unprecedented times with strong leadership, grace, and integrity. Her role in the pandemic response and recovery has been invaluable to our communities, and YWCA extends a sincere and heartfelt appreciation for her dedication in these trying times.

Since YWCA cannot host the awards ceremony this year, we are excited to be working with a local filmmaker, Allison Short, to produce a short film which brings together previous Women of Distinction recipients to highlight the history of the awards ceremonies, and to inspire future nominees and recipients. This film will be released in the coming months, as a way to reflect back and to provide inspiration for years to come.

The Board and Staff of YWCA St. John’s extends a heartfelt thank you to the wonderful women and gender-diverse folks in Newfoundland and Labrador, and wishes you a day of support, love and celebration. You deserve it.

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#LeadershipButMakeitFeminist - Webinar Series

YWCA St. John’s has just concluded the #LeadershipButMakeitFeminist webinar series, designed by our youth council, The Collective!

We heard from three INCREDIBLE speakers;

Dr. Delores Mullings (Interim Associate Dean of Undergraduate Programs, Associate Professor, School of Social work Memorial University) on Decolonizing Leadership Spaces and Holding Space for Others ;

Anjum Sultana (MPH, National Director - Public Policy & Strategic Communications, YWCA Canada), on Connecting Professionally with Yourself and Others.

  • Anjum shared key insights and learnings from her experience as co-author of YWCA Canada’s Feminist Economy Recovery Plan. The world’s FIRST nationally-focused Feminist Economy Recovery Plan.

as well as,

Kate Lahey (PhD Candidate, Women and Gender Studies Institute, University of Toronto) on Radical Care for Community and Self.

YWCA St. John's is incredibly grateful to have hosted the #leadershipbutmakeitfeminist series. Special thanks to Delores Mullings Anjum Sultana MPH and Kate Lahey for the care, thoughtfulness, and knowledge that each of you brought to this series.

From the staff and board of YWCA St. John's, THANK YOU to our followers, friends, supporters and colleagues. We are sincerely grateful for all of the support and encouragement for this series.

Stay tuned for future events! 2021 is looking like an exciting year ahead!

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Miss us on the St. John's Morning Show?

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Listen and learn more our new project, “Fostering Collaboration of Services for 2SLGBTQIA+ Newcomers” !

One of YWCA St. John’s close collaborators and project partners, Dr. Sulaimon Giwa, was recently joined by our Executive Director on CBC’s St. John’s Morning Show in discussing this exciting project. Click the “play” button below to listen to the audio recording and learn more about how our project for 2SLGBTQIA+ newcomers began, what we aim to achieve, and how to get involved.

“We are hoping to […] get a better sense and representation from people with lived experiences around 2LSGBTQIA+ and settlement and integration, to better inform the scope of programs and services that could eventually be developed.”

- Dr. Sulaimon Giwa

We are currently seeking people with lived experience to join our Project Advisory Committee. Are you a 2SLGBTQIA+ newcomer to Canada, currently residing in Newfoundland and Labrador? We want to hear from you!

Reach out to our 2SLGBTQIA+ Services Coordinator at kimberly@ywcastjohns.ca for more information or to schedule an informational phone call.



Now Accepting Applications for our LAUNCH Employment Program!

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What is the Launch Program?

A 19 week employment program for young women and gender diverse youth experiencing multiple barriers to employment. Launch includes:

  • A PAID 7-week virtual employment skills development group program

  • A 12 week PAID work experience in a field of interest

LAUNCH Offers

Each LAUNCH participant engages in PAID classroom workshops including:

  • Portfolio & resume development

  • Computer software training

  • CPR & WHMIS Certifications

  • Career & education exploration

This Program is For You If You Are…

  • A young woman or gender diverse youth aged 16 – 30

  • Currently out of school, unemployed, or underemployed

  • Able to fully attend programming for 30 hours a week

  • Available Monday-Friday from 9:00am-4:00pm for 19 weeks

Applications are encouraged from all members of diverse and minority groups and from folks facing various barriers to employment (including but not limited to folks who: live with disabilities, live in rural or remote locations, are single parents, experience language barriers, are recent immigrants, have not completed high-school).

Virtual access accommodations can be arranged on an as needed basis.

We are currently accepting applications for our November, 2020 intake!

Deadline to apply is November 1st, 2020

Submit your application online by clicking here.

Have questions about the program, application process, or training? Schedule an informational phone call by contacting Nourin at nourin@ywcastjohns.ca OR call or text (709) 689-0164.

Have questions about work placements? Are you employer interested in hosting a work placement? Contact Nourin at nourin@ywcastjohns.ca.

Now Accepting Applications for our LAUNCH Employment Program!

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What is the Launch Program?

A 19 week employment program for young women and gender diverse youth experiencing multiple barriers to employment. Launch includes:

  • A PAID 7-week virtual employment skills development group program

  • A 12 week PAID work experience in a field of interest

LAUNCH Offers

Each LAUNCH participant engages in PAID classroom workshops including:

  • Portfolio & resume development

  • Computer software training

  • CPR & WHMIS Certifications

  • Career & education exploration

This Program is For You If You Are…

  • A young woman or gender diverse youth aged 16 – 30

  • Currently out of school, unemployed, or underemployed

  • Able to attend programming for 30 hours a week

Applications are encouraged from all members of diverse and minority groups and from folks facing various barriers to employment (including but not limited to folks who: live with disabilities, live in rural or remote locations, are single parents, experience language barriers, are recent immigrants, have not completed high-school).

Virtual access accommodations can be arranged on an as needed basis.

We are accepting applications for our September, 2020 intake now!

Deadline to apply is September 17th, 2020

There are three ways to apply:

Have questions about the program, application process, or training? Contact Nourin at nourin@ywcastjohns.ca.

Have questions about work placements? Are you employer interested in hosting a work placement? Contact Nourin at nourin@ywcastjohns.ca.