“[We can build from] years of existence: people know who we are — both community and funders. We have a good track record. The new build is exceptional. It is absolutely stunning. It is one of the most beautiful shelters and the building is designed with a trauma-informed lens.”
North York Women’s Shelter (NYWS) has a long and significant role in the anti-gender-based violence (GBV) sector. Its roots are in the activism of survivors, and it has a history dating back to advocacy which began in 1980. Guided by an acknowledgement of the impact trauma has on survivors of GBV, the NYWS facilities and approach are unique.
Our space is welcoming, generous, soothing and safe, designed to lighten the spirit during difficult times. But deeper than this, once someone seeking shelter from us is ready to leave, we have the means to provide all the elements of support that create the conditions for a survivor and their family’s future safety.
Our unique Anne-Marie D’Amico Community Collective honours the life, spirit and potential of this young woman whose life was tragically lost during the hate-filled Toronto Van Attacks. Through the generosity of her family, we are able to use the space to support deep partnerships with like-minded services and share intentionally designed spaces that allow children to heal through playing, and adults to learn new skills, build community, and receive healthcare.
The COVID-19 pandemic ushered in an era of leadership instability for the entire GBV sector, and NYWS was no exception. We are proud to say that with the support of many, NYWS is emerging from this period to build back stronger.
This Strategic Plan is a cornerstone of that process. With new, deeply experienced leadership, a loyal and committed board and staff, and supporters like you, NYWS is ready to confront the challenges of the current environment, centre the safety, wishes, and engagement of survivors, and ensure a sustainable organizational future.
Out of this commitment to solidify our infrastructure around our core mission, we will be able to crystallize our unique setting and approach into cutting edge programming, and transform the conditions survivors face by contributing meaningfully to a better, safer and violence-free future for us all.
We are certain that the results of our collaborative planning process are not only attainable, but sustainable, and that the following strategic directions and plan will ensure this is so. Guiding our work from 2024 to 2029 are the following three strategic directions:
NYWS’ first president, Reta Duenish, was a survivor of abuse and a lifelong activist who worked hard to ensure others could live without violence.
Because of her tenacity and the work of many, NYWS first opened its doors September 1984. With the exception of a three-year hiatus between 2017 and 2020, during the construction of our state-of-the-art, purpose built new shelter, it has been in operation 24-hours a day, 365 days a year since then. For 39 years NYWS has been a place of healing, empowerment and refuge. NYWS has been able to help over 11,000 women and children heal from the trauma of abuse.
NYWS is a fully accessible trauma-informed complex that consists of two distinct but linked buildings:
This community Hub provides trauma informed support; offers multiple services in one place; and provides women with appropriate referrals and knowledge on where to access support in their community.
The redesigned, unique, trauma-informed home-away-from-home, provides single family accommodation, and puts NYWS’ decades of experience working with survivors to practical and sensitive purpose throughout its design.
NYWS work is guided by our Theory of Change. Our programs acknowledge that building a safer life after experiencing GBV is never simple. There are many barriers to be faced that require personal and structural change. NYWS is present for it all, through our expressive arts therapy-based counselling program, food justice and food security program, and trauma-informed community health clinic, survivors get the individual and community support they need. Through advocacy and systems change work, NYWS aims to change the conditions that lead to GBV in the first place, and to improve society’s responses to it when it does happen.
A community characterized by gender equality where women, trans and non-binary people and their children are empowered and safe.
North York Women’s Shelter actively supports the rights of women, trans and non-binary people and their children to build lives free of violence by providing non- judgemental safe shelter, advocacy, and a range of programs & services including 24-hour crisis support.
During the strategic planning process, we asked stakeholders to reflect on how NYWS could bring their Vision and Mission to life. Their thoughtful responses have guided the making of this plan throughout the following process.
An environmental scan and S.W.O.T. (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats) analysis process was conducted from December 2023 through February 2024. This process included:
In March 2024, NYWS’ Board of Directors and staff participated in strategic planning sessions to develop strategic directions. The NYWS Theory of Change, was integrated throughout and the goals of this plan.
This Strategic Plan in turn, helps NYWS build toward the change and activities NYWS has agreed to in its Theory of Change. The draft strategic plan was created and approved in March 2024. This was followed by an Implementation Plan to guide us in driving our mission and achieving our strategic directions.
We are certain that the results of our collaborative planning process are not only attainable, but sustainable, and that the following strategic directions and plan will ensure this is so. Guiding our work from 2024 to 2029 are the following three strategic directions:
We would like to thank all the stakeholders who generously gave their time and energy to help us chart a future course for NYWS’ evolution. We especially acknowledge the clients who participated in this process for their insightful contributions – their ideas and opinions were instrumental to the formation of this plan.
The Strategic Planning Committee led the planning process under a mandate from NYWS’ Board of Directors and with support from There Management Consulting Inc. This work was made possible because of their unwavering support of the process, and their dedication to the organization.
In addition, we want to express our sincere gratitude to staff and management and praise the steadfast leadership of our Executive Director in bringing this project to completion. Their ability to adapt and innovate even in challenging conditions is remarkable. We are exceptionally lucky to have you!
Lastly, we want to thank the Ministry of Women and Gender Equality (WAGE) and United Way of Greater Toronto for their support for the development of this Strategic Planning process. We also wish to acknowledge and thank our allies, donors, funders, volunteers and partners, including the Ontario Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services: your generous and consistent support forms the solid basis from which we undertake this Strategic Plan’s implementation.
