These beliefs guide every decision we make about the best ways to help women in our communities

Accessibility

The YWCA is committed to being inclusive, accessible and welcoming to all people who may wish to participate in our work, our programs and our services.

Accountability

We believe our YWCA is accountable to all our stakeholders for the quality, relevance and accessibility of our programs and services, for responsible management of human and financial resources, and for acting on our vision statement and values to achieve our desired outcomes.

Anti-oppression

The YWCA believes that everyone has the right to live and work in an environment free of demeaning comments and actions based on ableism, ageism, homophobia, racism or sexism. We believe that the abuse of power is at the root of all oppression and that oppression is an attack on our individual and collective humanity. The YWCA is committed to an active anti-oppression process of identifying and eliminating oppression by changing systems, organizational structures, policies, practices, attitudes and individual behaviour and by encouraging the equitable use of power. Anti-racism is an essential focus of anti-oppression work.

Choice

The YWCA respects the right and responsibility of women to make choices regarding the conduct of their lives. In order to make informed decisions, women may need access to information, support and advocacy. We want women to have real choices and we want to eliminate unjust or inequitable consequences for choices they may make.

Community-mindedness

The YWCA is part of the community; locally and globally. We believe in the growth of healthy communities and we believe in working in partnerships to achieve community goals.

Feminism

The YWCA believes in the social, political and economic equality of women, men, and children. We are a woman-positive organization that believes in the advancement of this equality through the gathering and the actions of women. We believe there is a continuum of feminist thought and action and that each of us has a place on the continuum. When working for the equality of women, we work for the equality of all.

Leadership

The YWCA works with women, for women and from women's experience, perspectives and viewpoints. Our vision of leadership is inclusive, consultative, participatory, consensus-driven and responsive yet proactive and accountable. We believe in women's leadership in shaping an equitable society.

Non-Violence

We believe that a community and a world free of violence are attainable goals. We believe that the eradication of violence is a personal, political, local and global responsibility. Violence is not a women's issue - it affects everyone. We recognize that violence may be physical, sexual, mental, emotional, environmental, political, economic and systemic.

Peace Activism

The YWCA supports and encourages all non-violent efforts to secure and sustain a peaceful and productive human society on this planet.

Respect

The YWCA believes that we have a fundamental responsibility to create, maintain and promote an environment that will foster the dignity and self esteem of all.

Volunteerism

Volunteers and volunteer leadership are fundamental to the existence of the YWCA. Volunteers bring new perspectives, creativity, skills and energy. Volunteerism offers choices, involvement, and opportunities for growth. Our vision can be attained through the combined efforts of volunteers, staff, clients, participants and communities.

Women-Centered Community Development

The YWCA focus on the rights of women leads us to women-centered community development. Rooted in our experience working with women and their families who have experienced violence and abuse, we believe that Community Development is a process through which individuals, families, communities gain the power, insight and resources to make decisions and take action regarding their well-being. This definition implies values such as respect, equity, environmental awareness, participation, power sharing, meaningful process, hope and integrity in order to reach transformative social change.