Keeping Her Safe, Changing Her Future - WCYR's 2025 #HelpKeepHerSafe Campaign Launch

Women’s Centre of York Region (WCYR)

In 2025, the Women's Centre of York Region (WCYR) remains a steadfast advocate for women navigating the challenges of gender-based violence, poverty, and other socio-economic barriers. In 2024 alone, we positively impacted the lives of over 5,000 women and their families through our holistic programs and services.

Our #HelpKeepHerSafe continues to be more than just a hashtag. It is a movement. It brings our community together to create real, lasting change. It reflects our commitment to ensuring every woman has access to safety, support, and the opportunity to rebuild her life with dignity and hope.

Expanding Our Reach in 2025

This year, the #HelpKeepHerSafe campaign is focused on broadening our impact and addressing both long-term and immediate needs. This campaign not only sustains WCYR’s free programs—including counselling, economic development, financial literacy, life skills, and mental health support, but also helps meet the immediate needs of women, such as:

  • Transportation Assistance: Helping women safely access essential services and basic needs.

  • Grocery Cards: Distributing grocery gift cards to help alleviate women experiencing food insecurity.

  • Employment Support: Removing barriers to employment through assistance with clothing, transportation, and access to technology.

  • Childcare: Enabling mothers to participate in programs and focus on personal development while their children are cared for.    

  • Technology Support: Providing Chromebooks to help bridge the digital divide and open doors to education and employment opportunities.

WCYR provided me with practical tips on how to manage my money. The program enabled me to feel in control of my financial situation and save enough to prepare for my future. - 2024 Financial Empowerment participant     

Donate

What We Accomplished in 2024

Thanks to the generosity of our community partners and donors, the 2024 campaign helped fund vital services and life-changing programs:

  • 380 women participated in the Making Changes life skills and mental health program

  • The WCYR Counselling team supported 334 women through both individual and transitional counselling services.   

  • Investing in Women’s Futures served 264 women with their employment and income generation goals, including career exploration support, short-term case management, connection to employment counsellors, educational workshops/groups, social and networking activities and social enterprise development.

  • The Winter Warmth program supported 165 women and children, distributing $15,617.00 in gift cards for food, toys and winter clothing for the colder months and holidays.

Why We Need Your Support in 2025

In September 2023, as reports of intimate partner violence surged, gender-based violence was declared an epidemic in York Region alongside 94 other municipalities. Concurrently, Ontario witnessed a staggering 62 femicides that year, contributing to the national crisis where femicide occurred every 48 hours in Canada.  

Shockingly, 94 – 99% of survivors who experienced intimate partner violence endured financial abuse, while 86% of survivors were ordered to quit work, which led to further isolation and financial dependence. Many women are left with long-term economic consequences such as debt, poor credit, lost jobs and diminished self-esteem, affecting their ability to work.    

This harrowing reality intertwines with the mental health challenges faced by women in our community. With instances of domestic violence escalating by 30% and mental health significantly declining, the need for comprehensive support services is undeniable.    

How WCYR Responds

WCYR's programs are designed to meet the needs of individuals facing diverse barriers that intersect with their experiences of gender-based violence by adopting a trauma-informed, intersectional approach to ensure participants are listened to, supported and assisted in overcoming obstacles to success and freedom from abuse. Our programs fill a critical gap by not only providing participants with the opportunity to learn and practice vital life skills but also by increasing their self-esteem within an empowering environment.  

You Can Help

The #HelpKeepHerSafe campaign is more than just a call for donations. It’s a call to action. By supporting WCYR, you’re not just giving funds, you’re offering hope, opportunity, and empowerment.

With your help, we can:

·       Serve more women and reach women in isolation

·       Remove barriers like childcare and transportation

·       Expand our programs to support more women on their path to safety and self-sufficiency

Donate Today

To donate online to the #HelpKeepHerSafe campaign, please visit our campaign page here. Your support can transform lives and create a ripple effect of positive change in our community.   

If your business is looking to make a meaningful impact in the community, please contact Jacky Odish at 905-716-9106 or email Jackyo@wcyr.ca to explore a customized partnership opportunity.

Donate

Join us in making a difference.  Together, we can help keep her safe, supported, and successful.   

Jacky Odish