Posts by Lisa Murphy

“I am starved / And you are hungry / So I allow you to consume whatever you wish…” These haunting lines come from one of many powerful poems written by youth, as part of a unique NYWC Youth Gender-Based Violence (GBV) Education project recently conducted in partnership with Weston Collegiate Institute (WCI) and co-facilitated by…

International Women’s Day is an occasion to recognize the unwavering determination, empowerment, and exceptional accomplishments of women worldwide. By bringing women together, we amplify our collective power, foster solidarity, and create a formidable force to inspire a brighter future for all women. We are excited to host the free, NYWC Empower-Her Showcase on Friday, March…

Emily Charman, NYWC’s new coordinator of group programs, is here to help. While the COVID pandemic impacted all Canadians, it hit women and non-binary folks, new Canadians and other vulnerable groups particularly hard. For Emily Charman, it was a seismic shift that motivated her to switch from studying International Political Science to pursuing an MA…

You may know that volunteer work is gratifying and good for the soul, but were you aware that volunteering has health benefits, too? Research shows that when you regularly do volunteer work to help others and your community, it can actually boost your physical and mental health. Plus, it just feels good. As one North…

Make the holidays more meaningful with a charitable donation. Are you thinking of giving charitable donations as gifts for Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa or other December celebrations? It’s a smart and thoughtful idea, especially given research indicating that North Americans waste billions of dollars each year on unwanted presents. Instead, you can share the warm glow…

What is an Annual General Meeting? An Annual General Meeting, commonly referred to as an AGM, is a formal meeting held once a year. It is a legal requirement for incorporated organizations. North York Women’s Resource Centre (NYWC’s legal name) is incorporated in the Province of Ontario and therefore must hold an AGM. That isn’t…

“I came out of this program with a bit more confidence and knowledge to figure myself out further. I learned a lot. I felt supported. I feel empowered being a woman. I am so grateful for NYWC. I am so happy that this support system is available, especially when it’s so hard to heal from…

You know about Gender Based Violence (GBV), but you may not be aware of how prevalent it is among teens and young adults. Young women and girls, 2SLGBTQQIA+ people, racialized women and women living with disabilities are all at higher risk of violence due to their gender. For example, did you know that young people…

Diamond Antwi-Mansah, NYWC’s new Program Manager, wants to empower women and survivors. You can literally hear the excitement in Diamond’s voice when she talks about her new position at North York Women’s Centre. “This role is an opportunity to work alongside an incredible team,” she says. “Also, I was born and bred in North York,…

If you’re curious about what it’s like to be an NYWC member, talk to Dee Stapleton. After all, she was one of many who supported the creation of North York Women’s Centre in 1988, and has been connected with it ever since. “We wanted to help women and girls, and it’s been so worthwhile,” says…