Land Acknowledgement
YWCA Hamilton is situated upon the traditional territories of the Erie, Attawandaron, Huron-Wendat, Haudenosaunee and Anishnaabeg.
This territory was shared between the Haudenosaunee Confederacy and the Anishinaabeg nations, which was acknowledged in the Dish with One Spoon wampum belt and is directly adjacent to Haldimand Treaty territory. This wampum uses the symbolism of a dish to represent the territory, and one spoon to represent that the people are to share the resources of the land and only take what they need.
In our acknowledgement of the land, we also honour and celebrate Indigenous women, Two Spirit and gender-diverse people in our community. Indigenous women, Two Spirit and gender-diverse people play a crucial role in Indigenous rights and self-determination. They are guarantors of their culture, and they play fundamental roles within their families, their communities and their nations. We remember and honour their strength, wisdom, resilience and – above all – love.
In our work, YWCA Hamilton stands with and alongside Indigenous women, girls, Two Spirit and LGBTQIA+ people. We stand in solidarity with the MMIWG Calls to Justice, and are committed to doing our own internal work, as a settler-colonial organization, to meaningfully integrate these calls into our systems, structures and practices. We acknowledge we have a lot of work to do.
YWCAs across the country are on a humble journey to action a plan toward reconciliation. This work is ever-evolving and imperfect. However, it’s important that we move forward with transparency and take accountability.
Learn more about YWCA Hamilton’s history in colonization and our reconciliation work here.
Who We Are
Our Mission
YWCA Hamilton provides meaningful, accessible services to create opportunities, amplify voices, and co-create gender inclusive and equitable communities.
Our Vision
YWCA Hamilton envisions an equitable world where women (cis and trans), girls, Two-Spirit and gender diverse people have the rights and resources to shape their own lives and lead their communities.
Our Values
Intersectional Feminism
We actively confront injustice and inequality to eradicate gender discrimination, racism, and oppression in all of its forms.
People Centred
We place people at the core of our decisions, actions and responses.
Belonging
We create inclusive, welcoming spaces and opportunities to foster meaningful connection.
Responsibility
We contribute with care to sustainable and equitable solutions.
Partnerships
We work collaboratively to achieve equity, accessibility, gender and social justice.
Our impact is made possible on the lands of the traditional territory of the Haudenosaunee and Anishnaabeg. This territory is covered by the Upper Canada Treaties, within the lands protected by the “Dish With One Spoon” wampum agreement, and is directly adjacent to Haldimand Treaty territory. We respect the longstanding relationships with the local Indigenous communities, the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation and the Six Nations of the Grand River, and are committed to the recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Report.
Charitable Registration BN: 11923 6792 RR0001
Our Strategic Priorities
In the next 3 years, YWCA Hamilton will achieve the following:
Foster a culture of resilience, inclusion, and high performance that centres people and empowers our staff, volunteers and clients.
Provide the resources and pathways to advance leadership opportunities for women, youth and gender diverse people to positively transform their lives and communities.
Deliver inclusive and relevant programs and services that transform lives.
Over 130 years of serving the community
YWCA Hamilton has been serving women and gender-diverse people in our community for over 130 years. As an organization we strive to meet the ever-changing needs of community and to be there for those who need us most.
Leadership
Our board of directors is fully woman-powered. With an operating budget over $30 million, YWCA Hamilton is governed by a board of 12 skilled and deeply engaged directors.
Our executive leadership team consists of strong, bold and passionate women and fierce senior managers. YWCA Hamilton has the proven experience, organizational capacity and drive to constantly innovate to meet the every changing demands of the communities and people we serve.
Join Our Team
We’re all about fostering a workplace culture that values positive physical and emotional well-being. Learn about becoming a member of our team.
Our Reports & Policies
YWCA Hamilton believes that women and girls must have the rights, resources, and opportunities to shape their own lives and define their communities.
YWCA Hamilton creates real change and lasting impact. Learn more about how we have changed the lives of over 10,000+ individuals each year.
Our Advocacy
We advance social justice for women, girls, and gender-diverse people through our programs, services, supports and advocacy.
Partner with YWCA Hamilton
We can’t do this work alone. To fulfill our mission and make our impact possible, YWCA Hamilton develops and fosters partnerships with local education institutions, community organizations, advocacy groups and more. Each collaboration is unique and valuable in shaping our organization.
Aboriginal Youth Navigation Collaborative
ABRAR Trauma and Mental Health Services
Burlington Chamber of Commerce
CAMH-Newcomer Mental Health Project-Ontario
CAS/VAW Collaboration
Child Care & Youth Advocacy Group
Community Benefits Network
Complex Care System Planning Table
Crisis Prevention Institute
DS/HR Strategy Group Committee
Embolden Strategic Guiding Council
Equity & Engagement – Early Years System Planning
Hamilton Anti-Human Trafficking Coalition
Hamilton Chamber of Commerce
Hamilton Collaborative Partnership Group Community Hub/Multi-Sport Facility Project (formerly SportsGroup Hamilton)
Hamilton Community Access to Transportation Committee (CAT)
Hamilton Developmental Services Manager’s Table
Hamilton Developmental Services Resource Management Group
Hamilton Developmental Services System Planning Table
Hamilton Drug Strategy – Harm Reduction Workgroup
Hamilton Drug Strategy – Steering Committee
Hamilton is Home
Hamilton Regional Indian Center (HRIC)
Hamilton Transit Alliance
HHT-Hamilton Health Team – Addictions & Mental Health Secretariat
HHT-Hamilton Health Team
HIPC-Hamilton Immigration Partnership Committee
HIPC-Hamilton Immigration Partnership Evaluation Committee
Hospital Shelter Working Group
Housing and Homelessness Action Planning Table
HRPA (Human Resources Professionals Association) Hamilton Chapter Board
Human Resources Roundtable
HWCDSB Child Care Operations
HWDSB Child Care Operators
HWDSB Child Care Operators
Joint Liasion and Community Resource Family Court Committee
Joseph Brant Hospital-Oncology
Jump Start Hamilton Chapter Group
McMaster University Community Based Research Platform
Meal With Purpose
Mental Health Commission of Canada
Mohawk – Challenge 2025
Mohawk College-Social Services Advisory
Mohawk College-Social Services Advisory / Bridging Program advisory committee
National Brand Task Force
Neighbor2Neighbor
NGS-Never Going to Stop-Black Youth Programs Advisory
Not Myself Today
OAITH- Ontario Association of Intreval and Transition Houses
OASIS
OCASI (Ontario Council of Agencies Serving Immigrants)
ONN (Ontario NonProfit Network)
Ontario Health (West) IPAC Hub
Program Advisory Council – Trios Community Service Worker
Period Pop-Ups
SaRCC Seniors At Risk Community Council
Sisters in Spirit – Hamilton
Skills Development Flagship
Supervised Access MAG Funded Coordinator’s Group
Tiger Town Council
Transitional Housing & Support Workers
WAVES (Survivors Advisory of WAWG)
WAWG – Woman Abuse Working Group
WE HBA | WIN (West End Home Builder’s Association/Women In Industry)
Wellwood
WHPC – Women’s Housing Planning Collaborative – Operations Committee
WHPC – Women’s Housing Planning Collaborative – Steering Committee
Women’s Services Advisory to the Chief of Police
Women’s Shelters Canada
Youth Service Agences Network.
YWCA Canada Committees: National Brand Task Force
YWCA Canada Committees: Pan-Canadian Fundraising Task Force
YWCA Canada Committees: Advocacy Committee
YWCA Canada Committees: Integrating Committee
YWCA Canada Committees: Youth Advisory Council
YWCA Ontario Coalition
YWCA Ontario Coalition
YWCA Ontario Coalition – Child Care Subcommittee
YWCA Ontario Coalition – Homelessness Subcommittee
Zonta Club of Hamilton 1