Posts by Lisa Murphy

When Katherine (name changed for privacy) first came to North York Women’s Centre, she was recovering from physical injuries: her partner had been removed from the home for the second time due to domestic violence. Victim Services Toronto referred Katherine to NYWC, a charitable organization in North York that supports survivors of domestic abuse and…

“When I found North York Women’s Centre, everything in my body sang,” says Anaya Boucaud (she/they), who was appointed Coordinator, Drop-In Services for NYWC in September 2024. Anaya organizes the drop-in Women’s Lounge, offering free recreational and educational activities open to women and non-binary folks. Women are invited to the drop-in space to socialize, have…

For Shequera Powell, empowering women in her community is more than just a passion, it’s a commitment to fostering resilience and creating lasting change. This commitment led her to take on a summer role as a Women’s Support Worker at NYWC, where she could make a meaningful impact. “I was drawn to North York Women’s…

It was a joy to reopen NYWC’s doors five days a week. We hosted numerous inspiring, in-person events throughout our 34th year. We resumed distributing free menstrual products, toiletries and other basics to those who need them most. Plus, we added a hybrid mix of online and in-person offerings that increase accessibility, leveraging learnings and…

One of the core values of NYWC is empowering women, a mission that resonates deeply with Selma Ainab. As she took on the role of Women’s Support Worker for the summer, Selma was committed to making a meaningful impact in the lives of the women she supported. ”I wanted to join an organization where my…

Anjie Bibiresanmi’s summer placement as NYWC’s Marketing and Communications Assistant allowed her to combine two passions into one. “I was excited about the opportunity to work with NYWC because I wanted to be part of an organization that supports and empowers women,” says Anjie. “I knew it would be a place where I could both…

Did you know that unemployment is rising in Toronto and that 1 in 10 Torontonians now rely on a food bank? Women and newcomers are often particularly hard hit due to childcare and language issues, among other factors. That’s why North York Women’s Centre created the STEPS TO WORK program to help women explore their work…

If you long for more support, friendship and social interaction, you are not alone. Loneliness—which can be as bad for your health as smoking, according to health officials—has been on the rise since the pandemic. In fact, six in 10 young women said they often wish they had someone to talk to, but don’t, according…

Over the years, North York Women’s Centre has supported tens of thousands of women who needed a supportive and listening ear, as well as connections to services in their community. NYWC is well-known for its empowering women’s group programs that help participants advocate for themselves, celebrate their wins or take steps toward safety and income…

Our first in-person International Women’s Day (IWD) event in three years was a hit, thanks to our planners, speakers, participants, volunteers, vendors, prize providers and more! After three years of pandemic lockdowns and Zoom events, the North York Women’s Centre team really wanted to create a special IWD celebration to bring local women and experts…