Help us bring some relief and holiday joy to women and their families
CONNECTIONS DECEMBER 2020
OPTIONS TO SUPPORT THE HOLIDAY TOY ROOM
In a year of disruption and uncertainty, the Women’s Centre’s Holiday Toy Room program hopes to bring a bit of relief and holiday joy to Calgary women and their families.
The Toy Room Program will run from Tuesday, December 8 until Tuesday, December 22 by appointment only. Please call us at 403-264-1155 to book your visit and for details on how the Toy Room program will operate this year.
Read on the Women's Centre's website details on how each of these options and how you can help to ensure another successful, and safe, Toy Room program this year.
We use our social issues readings section to share articles on current events and analysis on a variety of topics. Sign up for our Social Issues Readings newsletter for more!
Current WC Volunteer Opportunities
For details or to apply to any of our volunteer positions please email our Basic Needs Coordinator, Allison, or visit our website.
Peer Support
Peer support is the core service of the Centre and provided by volunteers who are supported by the Women's Centre staff. This is non-judgmental support with whatever women are looking for, and could include providing referrals, information, or a listening ear.
Community Connector
The pandemic has affected our ability to gather, so the Women’s Centre is trying to find new ways to build community! As a community connector, you will play a key role in welcoming women into the Centre and helping them feel comfortable in the space.
Family Law Volunteer Lawyers
The Women’s Centre Legal Advice Clinic offers one-time free
30 minutes of legal advice from volunteer lawyers to women in a safe, supportive and
confidential space.
Giving Tuesday
Tuesday, December 1 is #GivingTuesdayCA
And to celebrate, we're offering a few options for you to support our Holiday Toy Room Program through donations, toy drives, and/or volunteer opportunities.
2020 continues to be a year of disruption and uncertainty in our community. We are going ahead with our Holiday Toy Room program for women and their families in order to bring a bit of relief and holiday joy.
Last year, over 4,500 women and children relied on our Toy Room as a holiday resource. And this was supported by almost 300 volunteers. We anticipate the need for this program to be equal, if not greater, this year.
Today, we ask for your support as this program cannot run without the generosity of individuals, businesses, and community organizations. We ask you to give the giftof community, connection and support to women in Calgary and encourage you to donate to, arrange a toy drive for, or volunteerwith the Women's Centre.
Make a #GivingTuesday donation of $20 or more on our giving page, or Canada Helps profile and we’ll get an extra $2 from CanadaHelps!
Your #GivingTuesday support makes a difference and helps us continue to provide women with the opportunity for support, connection and community during this difficult time.
Like most things, our community collage art project has shifted as we try to keep our community safe right now!
Instead of adding to the project while women are in the Centre, they are now welcome to email their contributions to artist Julia Rose Sutherland at juliarosesutherland.com@gmail.com, or mail them to the Women’s Centre at 39 - 4th Street N.E., Calgary AB, T2E 3R6. You’re also welcome to bring them to the Centre if you have an appointment for peer support or toy room.
Not sure what to add? You can share what the Women’s Centre community means to you in the form of words, a drawing, a photo, or even your own collage. Julia Rose will then take your pieces and add them to the piece pictured above.
We will be accepting contributions until December 22. Please call Sarah at 403-264-1155 or email sarah@womenscentrecalgary.org if you have any questions!
DECEMBER WORKSHOPS
December Workshops
For a full list of upcoming workshops and to register, view ourcalendar here.
Learn about the history of the Women’s Centre, the peer model, and why we do what we do. This workshop is required for anyone to volunteer at the Women’s Centre and will be held online via Zoom.
This is a conversation group for women to practice English for daily life. This program is a free virtual drop-in program for any English level and no testing involved. Please register at the above link to access the weekly classes.
We invite you to join this weekly yoga class hosted by the Women’s Centre virtually. Perfect for all abilities. Participate in self-care. Focus on slowly moving into basic yoga postures while using your breath, which enables you to be present and mindful. You will leave the class with increased vitality and a fostered connection to yourself.
The Together Again meet-ups will be held online on Thursdays from December 3 - 17 from 11:00 A.M. - 12:00 P.M. online via Zoom.
Email Sarah, sarah@womenscentrecalgary.org, talk to a volunteer while at the Centre, or sign up through our online events calendar.
SERVICES UPDATE
Hours of Operation
The Centre is now open extended hours by appointment only. Drop-ins are no longer permitted.
Monday December 7:
9:30 A.M. - 4:30 P.M.
Monday, December 14 & 21
9:30 A.M. - 8:30 P.M.
Tuesday - Thursday:
9:30 A.M. - 8:30 P.M.
Please call us at 403-264-1155.
Tax Appointments
We will host a tax clinic on Wednesday December, 2 from 5:00 - 8:30 P.M. by appointment. Please call us to book and note that space for appointments is limited. Our volunteers will also only have capacity for two filing years per appointment, so please book a separate appointment in the new year if you have more than two years of filing.
Please note for December:
Our Holiday Toy Room program will run from December 8-22. This is accessible by appointment only! We will not be making appointments for any other services during this time, but if you are visiting for Toy Room already you can access peer support and personal care items during that appointment. Referrals and information will also still be available by phone. Call us at 403-264-1155
Holiday Closure:
The Women's Centre will be closed for the holidays from Wednesday, December 23 until January 4. We will re-open by appointment on Monday, January 5 at 9:30 A.M.
