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Providing leadership, advocacy, opportunities, and a voice.
Empowering women, gender-diverse people, and their families, every day!

Providing leadership, advocacy, opportunities, and a voice.
Empowering women, gender-diverse people, and their families, every day!

Aquamovement and Exercise for Older Adults

It’s fun, friendly, and the perfect way to move and groove in the pool! | Ages 55+ | Tuesdays until Dec 16

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Keep a Roof Over Their Heads

You can make a difference – Join us in our campagin to support affordable housing and poverty interventions throughout Elgin County

Donate today!

Home Alone - Red Cross Stay Safe Courses

Fall registration now open | For youth ages 9 -13 years old

Learn more & register today

Red Cross Babysitting Courses

Fall registration now open | For youth ages 11 – 15 years old

Learn more & register today
St.Thomas CW Coat Giveaway 2025
Don’t let the warmer weather fool you….Winter is coming!
 
Through the help of our community ClothingWorks and Goodwill Industries, Ontario Great Lakes will be giving away lightly used Winter coats and accessories to anyone in need. No questions asked, no registration…just first come, first serve.
 
We are proud to invite you to the Winter Coat & Accessories Giveaway Days on Friday, October 24 and Saturday, October 25 from 9am – 4pm at YWCA located at 16 Mary Street West.
 
Last year we were able to serve 400 visitors in just 2 days and we hope to do the same again this year. Please bring a bag to take your items home and your patience as there will be a line up outside as a handful of visitors will be let in at a time to ensure there is enough space for everyone when looking through the products.
 
Special thank you to the many ClothingWorks for their master organization skills, each Goodwill location who have been collecting and sorting items since August and the hundreds of donors who are helping keep our community warm this Winter.
School Age Childcare

Looking for School Age Childcare?

Before and after school care at 10 locations

Settlement Services for Newcomers to Canada

New to Canada?

Let’s make Elgin County home

Housing for Women

In need of housing?

Supportive housing application for women & men

Housing for Women-led famillies

Seeking support for your family?

Women-led family transitional home application

Amy’s journey

Amy now holds her head up high; with a radiant smile and looks forward to the future.

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Courtney’s journey

Home is not a place… it’s a feeling

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Lisa’s journey

A reflection of the Housing Supports offered through the YWCA.  Struggling with generational poverty, abuse and addictions, at age 48 Lisa was referred to the YWCA St. Thomas Elgin by her continuing education teacher. Lisa was trying to make changes in an environment...
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Natalie’s journey

The YWCA gave me the opportunity to start over and choose a better life.

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Paula’s journey

Struggling with abuse and addictions, at age 30, Paula was referred to the YWCA through the Community By-Names list and adult shelter. Paula was sleeping on the street and ally ways to avoid the adult shelter in town as she had been clean for about one month and did...
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Rachel’s journey

I would like to start by asking you all a very simple question, have you ever felt uncertain about something? I’m sure you have. Perhaps the most obvious thing would be about the future, right? I want you to hold onto that feeling…imagine being told right now, that...
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Recent News

Announcing Proposed Board of Directors 2025-2026

Announcing Proposed Board of Directors 2025-2026

June 3, 2025 We are proud to announce our proposed slate for Board of Directors for 2025/26. Ashley Dunn – This is Ashley’s 8th year on the Board and 2nd year as Past Chair. Ashley has been with Scotiabank for over 10 years, starting as a financial advisor and...

Nonprofits are reliable, agile partners to protect Ontario

The Honourable Doug Ford, Premier of OntarioOffice of the PremierQueen’s Park, Toronto, ON, M7A 1A1By email: premier@ontario.ca March 19, 2025 Dear Premier Ford,Congratulations on your re-election as Premier of Ontario. The people of Ontario have put their trust in...

New Life to Hiawatha Through Helping Hands

New Life to Hiawatha Through Helping Hands

New Life to Hiawatha Through Helping Hands June 10, 2024 St.Thomas – It is with great excitement that the YWCA St.Thomas-Elgin announces the acquisition of the property nestled in at 53 Hiawatha Street from previous owner, Elgin Community Mental Health Foundation...

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