The YWCA of Thompson, which has been part of the community since Sept. 13, 1972, held its annual general meeting on Sept. 15 and experienced a great turnout at the event.
Present at the meeting was Michelle Nichol, president of the YWCA in Thompson, city councillor and executive director of the YWCA Judy Kolada, Mayor Tim Johnston and more.
The YWCA offers four main programs to residents of the City of Thompson and the North, including their Leap program, which is a pre-employment program for women and men facing employment barriers; the YWCA assessment centre, which features client centered academic and interest assessment; the Steps to Success program, which provides essential workplace skills to help people find meaningful and sustainable employment; and the Babies Best Start program, a prenatal and postnatal nutrition program for expectant mothers and women with babies who are less than a year old.
In her executive director's report, Kolada says that the year ending on March 31, 2009 has been the only profitable year since the YWCA's loss of the medical services contract in 2005, which happened as a result of allowing men to access the organization's accommodations.
Kolada went on to thank the YWCA's funders, which include Manitoba Competitiveness, Training and Trade who funded the Leap program, the assessment centre and the Steps to Success program and Health Canada and Healthy Child Manitoba, both of whom fund the Babies Best Start program.
Two employees were recognized for five years of dedicated service to the YWCA, including Cynthia Anaka, who works in the Y's housekeeping and kitchen department, and Louise Kendrick, who works as the front desk clerk.
In her president's report, Nichol says that the YWCA is working to strengthen families and transform the lives of women through their residence and social programs. She says that although the auditor's report shows that the YWCA was able to finish the year well financially, there is much work to be done still to ensure stabilization of the organization in the future. Kolada also stresses the importance of applying for grants and fundraising.
"I will continue to research available grants that suit our building upgrade requirements and program needs," she stresses. "As for fundraising, activities include a plan to partner with the Lions Club for Sunday night bingo." Kolada adds that both the Lions Club and the YWCA have experienced difficulty in recruiting and retaining sufficient volunteers to run bingo nights. Jointly, the two organizations plan on splitting the number of volunteers and the resulting profit.
The YWCA is planning a fundraiser that has been popular at other YWCAs called Walk a Mile in Her Shoes in the spring of 2010. During the fundraiser men will obtain sponsors and walk a designated route in high heel shoes.
Near the end of her report Kolada also talked about the success that the YWCA's Women of Distinction dinner experienced this year. The Juniper Centre has already been booked for the next dinner, which is set for March 20, 2010.
New board members that were nominated at the annual general meeting include Abbey Muirhead; Melissa Wakeling; Charlene Wood; Louise Hodder; Gillian Brown; and Kristine Heis.
