Free Women’s Programs In Toronto

Women’s Groups At NYWC

NYWC has been hosting groups to help and empower women for over 30 years. You can register for these free programs, which cover a range of topics such as how to build confidence, resilience and assertiveness and explore your potential and skills. They are open to all woman-identifying and non-binary people in and around Toronto.

Our groups offer peer-to-peer learning and support and help you become aware of your own power and rights; enabling you to overcome challenges such as systemic discrimination, abuse and isolation and their impacts on your relationships and employment. NYWC group participants share experiences and draw energy, meaning and acceptance from each other. Group work builds community — and communities create possibilities for better well-being.

Current Programs

STEPS To Work Program

This program is temporarily unavailable. See below for more details.

NYWC in Toronto offers a free program to help women prepare for employment via workshops, resources and building work skills.

See Program Details

Seniors' Empowerment and Safety (SES) Program

See Program Details

Women’s Empowerment Series 1: Discovering Our Power [9 Weeks]

The Women’s Empowerment Series offers group sessions led by skilled facilitators, independent learning and one-on-one support to help you grow and create positive change. In the first part of the series, Discovering Our Power, you’ll build self-esteem and confidence and learn coping skills to draw on in challenging times. In this group, discussions and interactive activities will help you gain strength, knowledge and connections with other women in a safe environment.

Here’s what one participant had to say about the Women’s Empowerment Series:

"The group helped me when I was afraid to speak up. I’m gathering my supports to help me feel less isolated and anxious. There are a lot of good things about me that I don’t have to change, while I’m on my journey to healing and being better to myself."

Women’s Empowerment Series 2: Exploring Our Potential [9 Weeks]

In this second part of the Women’s Empowerment Series, you’ll learn to identify strengths and opportunities and consider steps to take toward life changes. In this group, the guided activities will allow space for self-reflection along with time to share and learn from other group members. You will also develop a plan for taking practical steps towards your goals.

Women’s Empowerment Series 3: Asserting Ourselves [9 Weeks]

In this third part of the Women’s Empowerment Series, you’ll learn how to become more assertive and advocate for yourself. This group provides a safe and comfortable space to practice communication skills, such learning how to say “no.”

STEPS To Work Program [9 Sessions]

Are you ready to start working but don’t know where to start? Sign up for the NYWC’s STEPS to Work program for help developing your individualized path to employment. This 9-week program is designed to help you Set goals, Take steps, Empower yourself, Prep your skills and Set up supports. Through one-on-one support and weekly group workshops, staff will offer a guided exploration of your work options, connect you to a training, education or employment program that matches your goals, and work with you to manage barriers you may face. Here's what the program offers:

9 weekly group workshops

Learn and practice soft skills that are important in the workplace.
Meet like-minded women who are also working toward their career goals.

Connect with community services

Every week you'll have the chance to meet with our program partners and find out about the services available to support your journey, including:

One-on-one support

You're not doing this alone. You'll also have appointments to meet with our team during and after the program so you can:

Set short- and long-term goals for your career.
Have support for managing any other obstacles you're facing.

This program is temporarily unavailable but will return soon.
In the meantime, we invite you to visit our Lounge for pre-employment focused programming or reach out to our team for referrals and resources tailored to your needs.

Please email info@nywc.org with the subject line: Pre-Employment Support Request and a member of our team will get back to you.

Seniors' Empowerment and Safety Program [10 Weeks]

The Seniors' Empowerment and Safety (SES) program is a free 10-week group program designed to raise awareness and address specific challenges that older women (ages 60+) may face, including complex family dynamics, experiences in relationships, and safety within their homes and communities.

Together, we'll also begin to name and understand terms like intimate partner violence (IPV), gender-based violence (GBV) and family violence, and how they can show up in different ways.

Through weekly workshops (lunch provided!), peer conversations, and guided discussions, participants explore topics such as healthy relationships, communication, self-esteem, caregiving and receiving care, online safety and dating, and how to recognize and respond to abuse, scams, and fraud.

The program also offers clear, supportive guidance on services tailored to participants' needs, including how to find and access community supports confidently. Each participant will receive a handbook with local resources, safety planning tools, and tips for navigating relationships and community with a stronger sense of self and connection.

We’ll wrap up the program with a special self-defense session led by Wen-Do, offering strategies that support personal empowerment, build assertiveness, and help participants feel grounded in their everyday lives.

Accessibility of Our Women’s Programs

North York Women’s Centre recognizes the dignity and worth of all people and is committed to providing services fairly and equitably. NYWC strives to be accessible to all women and gender-diverse people regardless of their race, ancestry, colour, creed, ethnicity, place of origin, citizenship, immigration status, age, disability, sexual orientation, receipt of public assistance, political affiliation, religious affiliation, literacy level, language and/or socio-economic status. We aim to create a harmonious environment free from discrimination, harassment and hate.

Talk with us about accommodations you need to participate fully in our programs and services.

Our Vision and Mandate