YWCA Peterborough Haliburton

YWCA Peterborough Haliburton The YWCA provides safe shelter, resources, and support to women and children who have experienced abuse or violence.

Our offices are located in downtown Peterborough and in Minden.

For this week's Throwback Thursday, we're taking a look at labour reform in the early history of YWCA Peterborough Halib...
06/11/2026

For this week's Throwback Thursday, we're taking a look at labour reform in the early history of YWCA Peterborough Haliburton.

Did you know that Canadian YWCAs did not become involved with labour reform until after 1910?

Prior to 1910, YWCAs specifically limited themselves to intervention in the private lives of women working in industry. During this period, many associations provided services which made it possible for women to meet personal expenses on low wages. However, these same associations did not challenge the inadequacy of these wages.

Even YWCAs during this time had yet to come around on the structural inequalities surrounding employment. Notably, the association tended to view unemployment or low wages as a personal circumstance which could be overcome through individual training and attitude.

In Peterborough, YWCA administrators reportedly often sought the advice of business and industrial managers and acted upon the advice. Despite these advances, it is difficult to know to what degree this emphasis was motivated by personal beliefs or a pragmatic desire to help women secure jobs.

This being said, regardless of this lack of clarity, the organization's provision of industrial services did focus public attention on the working and living conditions of women in industry.

While YWCA Peterborough Haliburton did little during this period to challenge exploitative employers, its industrial services post 1912 did make future labour reform possible.

Did you know that women, children, and gender-diverse individuals in rural communities face unique challenges when it co...
06/10/2026

Did you know that women, children, and gender-diverse individuals in rural communities face unique challenges when it comes to escaping the effects of gender-based violence?

From geographical challenges to social concerns, to lack of access to information and resources, women, children, and gender-diverse individuals in rural regions often face more difficult circumstances than their urban counterparts.

This is why at YWCA Peterborough Haliburton, we work hard to support rural clients in the Haliburton region.

At the Haliburton Emergency Rural SafeSpace (HERS), families are able to live independently while also having access to support staff 24-hours a day. Here, clients can also receive services and supports such as supportive counselling, information about housing and income supports, assistance navigating the Family and Criminal Court systems, and more.

For more information about HERS, visit: https://ywcapeterborough.org/hers/

Read here to learn just some of the startling statistics surrounding gender-based violence in rural regions.

For more information about GBV in rural regions, visit:https://www.justice.gc.ca/eng/rp-pr/cj-jp/victim/rr00_15/rr00_15.pdf

A HUGE thank you to the members of Women's Adventures in Golf (WAG)! 💞⛳On Saturday, May 23rd, 2026, at the Keystone Link...
06/09/2026

A HUGE thank you to the members of Women's Adventures in Golf (WAG)! 💞⛳

On Saturday, May 23rd, 2026, at the Keystone Links G. & C. C., WAG joined together to raise an incredible $1,080 for the women, children, and gender-diverse individuals we serve!

The theme of the day was 'Barbie's World,' where 45 women proved that "you can be anything," whether it be exploring and learning golf, or raising money for a philanthropic cause.

Barbie may be known for her signature pink aesthetic, but over the years, she has also become a symbol of empowerment for many people all around the world. Similarly, this recent donation will go a long way towards empowering those in need on a journey of healing from the effects of gender-based violence.

Thank you again to the members of Women's Adventures in Golf and all who participated in the event. We couldn't be more grateful!

For more information about WAG and it's upcoming events, visit: https://www.golfwithwag.ca/

For this week's Message Monday, we're taking a look at the statistics surrounding affordable housing for women in need. ...
06/08/2026

For this week's Message Monday, we're taking a look at the statistics surrounding affordable housing for women in need.

Did you know that according to a Statistics Canada report on "Women living in subsidized housing in Canada," women are more likely than men to live in subsidized housing at 3% versus 2% of the total Canadian population?

Within this, those most likely to live in subsidized housing were separated, divorced, or widowed women at 7%; one-parent women at 9%; and women living in a one member household at 9%.

And, when looking at the Peterborough community specifically, according to a City of Peterborough Housing Needs Assessment Report from September 2024, one-parent families make up 20.73% of all households in the city, with a large portion, or 3,805, one-parent households being headed by a woman.

The report further notes that gender-based violence is one of the leading causes of homelessness and need for affordable housing among women and children.

What these statistics reveal is that affordable housing remains vital for women and children in need, and for women especially to be able to live independently and as they choose free from violence.

This is also why YWCA Peterborough Haliburton works hard to help our clients find safe shelter and transitional housing. While just having access to housing is not enough to help a woman and her children escape the effects of gender-based violence, it is an important first step.

This week, we'd like to know, what's your favourite part of where you live? Share your thoughts in the comments and together, we can start the week on a cozy note!⭐

An incredible thank you to the members and attendees of the 2026 Women's Business Network of Peterborough's June Social,...
06/06/2026

An incredible thank you to the members and attendees of the 2026 Women's Business Network of Peterborough's June Social, for helping to restock Centennial Crescent's Community Food Shelf.

The event took place on June 3rd, 2026, with a very fun Country Fair theme.

Alongside donating non-perishable food and supplies to the women and children staying at Centennial Crescent, guests were able to participate in a variety of games and competitions--including, but not limited to, ring toss, egg races, balloon pop, and so much more!

Once again, we couldn't be more grateful for this recent donation and continued partnership with the WBN. The food donated to Cheryl's Sharing Shelves will help support our clients over the next few weeks.

For more information about the WBN, visit: https://wbnptbo.ca/

And, to learn more about Centennial Crescent, visit: https://ywcapeterborough.org/centennial-crescent/

For this week's Feel Good Friday, YWCA Peterborough Haliburton encourages you to have confidence in who you are! You des...
06/05/2026

For this week's Feel Good Friday, YWCA Peterborough Haliburton encourages you to have confidence in who you are!

You deserve to feel confident in your thoughts, dreams, and abilities. While there can be many voices around us--and sometimes in our own mind--that fill us with self-doubt, it is important to find opportunities to remind yourself that you are incredible just for being you!

This weekend, take the time to do something that makes you feel confident. Whether it be a hobby, an activity, or a skill, we all have moments where we can shine. 💞

For this week's Throwback Thursday, we're taking a look at the early history of room registry at YWCA Peterborough Halib...
06/04/2026

For this week's Throwback Thursday, we're taking a look at the early history of room registry at YWCA Peterborough Haliburton.

Did you know that at the beginning of the 20th-century, YWCA Peterborough Haliburton ran a referral service in addition to running its own residence program?

Here, this service helped recommend individuals to other shelters and boarding homes in the city. The registry helped to ensure that when YWCA Peterborough Haliburton's building was full, women and children could still find a safe, clean, and friendly place to stay.

The service was at its busiest during the Second World War, and listed between 160 and 300 homes each year from 1941 to 1945. In 1942, the service placed 864 people through the registry's service. And, by 1944, YWCA Peterborough Haliburton was receiving an average of seven calls per day, both from people listing accommodations and those seeking it.

Increased immigration to the area followed the war and kept the registry busy into the late 1940s, but by the 50s, there was decreasing demands and the registry became obsolete.

However, despite the end of the registry, in its intentions, it is easy to see the foundations of YWCA Peterborough Haliburton's current transition and outreach programming.

Just as the registry worked to connect women in need with safe shelter, today, our transition and outreach services work hard to connect our clients with everything from safe shelter, to safety assessment and risk management, Family Court Support, and so much more!

For more information about our transition and outreach programming, visit: https://ywcapeterborough.org/transition-and-outreach/

With the summer weather seemingly here to stay, we want to take the opportunity to tell you about the impact that rising...
06/03/2026

With the summer weather seemingly here to stay, we want to take the opportunity to tell you about the impact that rising temperatures can have on the rates of gender-based violence.

Did you know that it is a studied and recorded fact that increases in temperature also correlate with an increase in cases of gender-based violence--something that disproportionately affects women and girls both locally and all around the world?

Look to these startling statistics from the UN Spotlight Initiative (2025), "How Climate Change Impacts GBV," to see just some of the bigger picture related to how our shifting global climate and landscape affects those living, working, and surviving all around us.

The summer should be a time for fun and community connections. If you or someone you know is in need of help this summer, know that support is available.

For women, girls, and gender-diverse individuals in need, our crisis line is always open: Call 1-800-461-7656 | Text 705-991-0110

With deep appreciation to GG Mary Simon for her many successes rooted in strong values and leadership. May the work she ...
06/03/2026

With deep appreciation to GG Mary Simon for her many successes rooted in strong values and leadership. May the work she began continue...

A big thank you to the members of the Knights of Columbus Council No. 11486 for the very generous and recent donation of...
06/02/2026

A big thank you to the members of the Knights of Columbus Council No. 11486 for the very generous and recent donation of $1,200 for the women and children we serve!

During a Mother's Day brunch, the members of the Knights of Columbus went above and beyond to collect donations for our clients.

We couldn't be more grateful for this act of community kindness, which worked to provide both mothers with a day of thanks and those in need with the support and resources to begin a healing journey of care! 💞

Address

216 Simcoe Street
Peterborough, ON
K9H2H7

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 4:30pm
Tuesday 9am - 4:30pm
Wednesday 9am - 4:30pm
Thursday 9am - 4:30pm
Friday 9am - 4:30pm

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