Posts by Lisa Murphy

While the COVID-19 pandemic was no longer “new” in the 2021/2022 year, it continued to impact our participants, our organization, the non-profit sector and society at large. “The NYWC group facilitators were knowledgeable and showed that they listened and really cared. The topics were exactly what I needed to get my process going for my…

In the months and days before she succumbed to cancer, Lydia Aysip found comfort in messaging her family in the Philippines using a tablet supplied by North York Women’s Centre. Before 2020, Aysip rarely spoke to her family because the cost of long-distance calls was too expensive. Fortunately, we were able to supply her with…

NYWC’s Madeline Lemire reflects on the defining passion of her life and career. My name is Madeline Lemire, and I am thrilled to be starting as the Manager of Volunteer Resources for the North York Women’s Centre! I have been living in Toronto for 11 years now and have heard about the NYWC’s great work…

Volunteering at NYWC makes a difference. You may have heard about the 1:1 support service that we offer at North York Women’s Centre but aren’t aware of the type of assistance we provide. (In addition to our other programs and services.) With the help of staff and volunteers, we respond to women’s visits, calls and…

Shazma Nafis, a former NYWC intern and peer support worker, reflects on the process of moving from online to in-person services. Connecting with participants at our very first in-person event since the start of the pandemic, I couldn’t help but feel a surge of happiness. For the last two years, North York Women’s Centre has…

Rachelle Beswick shares how NYWC supported her healing and growth. Chi-Miigwetch to the team at the North York Women’s Centre for creating such a supportive community during one of the most difficult years of my life. Although I had become accustomed to living with a certain level of stress, I am now standing taller and…

Two recent NYWC events explored our strategic priorities moving forward. North York Women’s Centre couldn’t be more grateful for the tireless work of our team and volunteers over the past two pandemic years. On May 7th, we had an ideal opportunity to express that gratitude, celebrate our progress and discuss our next steps for growth.…

Every May, we’re delighted to welcome summer interns to NYWC. It’s a win-win scenario in which students gain meaningful learning and practicum experience while offering invaluable help to our organization and the women who participate in our programs. Read on to hear what some past students have to say about their time at North York…

Gender-based violence (GBV) is a human rights violation, yet it is all too common in Canada. When someone is abused or assaulted because of their gender, gender identity, perceived gender or gender expression, it’s gender-based violence. Women, Indigenous women, Black women, women of colour, 2SLGBTQQIA+ people, transgender and gender diverse people, disabled women, female newcomers…

Shazma Nafis, a former NYWC intern peer support worker, reflects on a crucial issue. Black History Month started as a one-week celebration in 1926 to honour Frederick Douglass, an African American abolitionist. It has since evolved into a month-long celebration of Black men and women and encouraged much-needed conversations on racism and the mistreatment of…