YWCA Hamilton

Thinking about launching a business — or growing the one you already have — but not sure where to start? Access to expert guidance, personalized coaching, and a supportive entrepreneurial community can make all the difference.

PowerUp Ready is a 10-week business training program offered at no cost & designed for women and gender-diverse entrepreneurs who are ready to turn ideas into action. Through interactive workshops, mentorship from experienced business professionals, and one-on-one coaching, participants gain the tools, clear direction, and confidence needed to move their business forward.

Throughout the program, you’ll work toward developing a professional business plan suitable for financial institutions, while also building meaningful connections with a supportive network of entrepreneurs on a similar journey.

The next cohort begins in July, with information sessions taking place now. Join an upcoming info session to learn more about eligibility requirements, the application process, and what you can expect from the program! Seats are limited!
Register for an information session here:
https://www.cognitoforms.com/YWCAHamiltonCentreOfInnovation/PowerUpReadyInformationSessionRSVP

The wait is over, Rise Collective Camp is back!

Are you a young person looking to build leadership skills, make meaningful connections and help shape the future of youth services in your community all for FREE? This is your opportunity to rise, lead, and create change alongside other passionate youth.

Date: July 13-17, July 27-31, August 10-14
Location: Nancy & Patrick McNally Youth Zone Putman Family YWCA, 52 Ottawa St. North

*Registration is first-come first served, and spaces are limited! Participation is completely FREE!

Register now https://www.cognitoforms.com/YWCAHamiltonChildAndYouthServices/RISEYouthLeadershipCamp2026

Participants from the Imagine Day Program have been taking part in a new gardening activity, and they’re already seeing their efforts bloom.

The Imagine Day Program provides person-centred therapeutic recreation services for adults and seniors with developmental disabilities. The program empowers participants to live their fullest lives by removing barriers and building social and community connections.

At the beginning of the month participants worked with staff to transplant flowers and plants into garden beds outside of the YWCA Hamilton building on McNab Street. Since then they have continued to water, prune, and maintain the gardens with pride.

This activity provides an opportunity to enhance motor skills, teamwork, socialization and to work towards a common goal. The Imagine Day Program will continue caring for the garden throughout the growing season, helping participants further develop their new gardening skills and sense of accomplishment.

We're proud to introduce our new Strategic Plan, a roadmap that will guide our work and amplify our impact in the years ahead.

Built around three key pillars, our plan will help us:

Strengthen our internal capacity by investing in our people, systems, and organizational excellence.

Invest in targeted opportunities that expand our impact across housing, health equity, and economic advancement.

Focus on strategic partnerships that strengthen collaboration, build resilience, and create lasting change.

Together, these priorities will help us advance gender equity and create meaningful, sustainable change in our community.

Learn more about our Strategic Plan: https://ywcahamilton.org/about/strategic-plan

We are proud to introduce our new mission: Advancing Gender Equity.

Gender equity is about creating a future where everyone has equitable access to opportunities, resources, and the support they need to thrive. It means addressing barriers, challenging inequities, and working together to build stronger, more inclusive communities.

This mission reflects our commitment to creating meaningful change and ensuring that women, girls, and gender-diverse individuals have the opportunity to reach their full potential.

As we move forward with our new strategic plan, this mission will guide our decisions, our partnerships, and our impact.

Learn more about our new strategic plan and mission here - https://ywcahamilton.org/about/strategic-plan

June is Seniors Month! This year’s theme, ‘Let’s Get Moving’ celebrates the importance of staying active and engaged at every age. Seniors Month is an opportunity to recognize their impact and make sure they have the support, resources and opportunities to thrive.

YWCA Hamilton’s MacNab and Ottawa Street Seniors Active Living Centres offer older adults the opportunity to stay active in mind and body through a variety of fitness, wellbeing, educational and social programs. The centres also provide welcoming spaces where seniors can build meaningful connections, maintain friendships and strengthen their sense of community.

At YWCA Hamilton, we are proud to celebrate Seniors Month and to continue to support older adults in all aspects of wellbeing and fulfillment.

Photo taken at our Monday Morning 10:30 a.m. chair yoga class at Putman Family YWCA sign up to join!

Rain or shine, our community shows up for survivors of gender-based violence.

For the 17th year, 465 walkers on 46 teams walked in solidarity to raise funds to support YWCA Hamilton’s life-saving programs for women, girls and gender-diverse people. An incredible $106,616.70 (and counting!) has been raised so far, and thanks to a generous matching donor, every gift made before June 30 will be matched up to $25,000!

Double your impact and help us raise $150,000 by June 30 to support survivors.

We want to extend a massive thank you to those who have already gone the extra mile in their fundraising efforts. Congratulations to our award winners! Top Individual Fundraiser Rob Green, Top Staff Fundraiser Sonia Emerson, and Team Alectra as both Top Team Fundraiser and Biggest Team.

To read more about Walk a Mile in Their Shoes and to see the full event gallery, check our the link in our bio.

Thank you so much to all of our amazing sponsors!

Groundbreaker: Alectra Findlay Personal Injury Lawyers
Explorer: Hamilton Community Foundation LiUNA Local 837 Meridian Credit Union
Annual Partners: Atomic Spark Soundbox Productions Starward Homes
Lunch Partner: Hess Village Hamilton

YWCA Hamilton is hiring a Program Supervisor (Transitional Living Program) in Hamilton.

The Program Supervisor is responsible for the overall administration and operation of our Transitional Living Program, providing leadership, guidance, and support to a dedicated team working alongside women and gender-diverse individuals experiencing multiple barriers, including homelessness, mental health challenges, substance use, and gender-based violence.

Grounded in a feminist, anti-racist, and anti-oppressive framework, YWCA Hamilton is committed to amplifying voices and co-creating communities where everyone has the rights, opportunities, and resources to shape their own lives.

We are seeking a compassionate and experienced leader with a background in social or human services, strong crisis intervention and supportive counselling skills, and a commitment to harm reduction, trauma-informed practice, and social justice.

If you are passionate about empowering women and gender-diverse people, building stronger communities, supporting housing stability, and making a meaningful impact every day, we would love to hear from you.

You can apply here: https://easyapply.co/job/program-supervisor-transitional-living-program-1

We’re putting our best foot forward tomorrow, no matter what the weather brings! Rain or shine Walk a Mile in Their Shoes will begin at 11:00 at Hamilton City Hall Forecourt. We encourage everyone to check the forecast before arriving and to dress and plan accordingly.