Our staff walk the walk as true advocates, and we love the chance to share information, education, resources, and our mission and values through speaking engagements, partnerships, workshops and so much more. We believe conversation and personal connection is an incredibly important part of addressing any challenges we face.

Executive Director, Carla Neto is a prolific speaker and trainer, leading teams not only internally, but within our partner organizations and non-profit network as well. As the architect of our sustainable livelihood approach, her expertise in management and process training, skills and systems development, and diversity, equity and inclusion makes her an incredible voice in any room.

Lina Almanzan – our head of Philanthropy – connects with people all over the community to support in strategy and ideation when it comes to how to get involved. Whether that’s personal, with a group, or corporate teams like our recent volunteer and donor guests at WHE Outreach from Brown-Forman Canada, her wealth of knowledge and compassionate approach has been an invaluable part of our team and external communication.

Alicia Whyte is our Shelter Manager, and has spoken across the city inspiring action in shelter, affordable housing, human rights, navigating our legal system, sexual violence, substance use recovery, trauma-based approach to care and more. She also happens to be a yoga and pilates instructor!

Other members of our team have also spoken with community groups, schools and youth. Like Lizzie at The York School, where we recently discussed intersectionality in addition to equity consideration and understanding using menstrual health and products as a tangible example. With the talk online, the school also ran their own “Period Products Drive” where students attended a dance using a product donation as their ticket. Not only addressing need, but opening up conversations and challenging stigma as well.

Or at the Etobicoke School of the Arts where Michelle presented and discussed volunteerism, activism, and understanding the history of violence against women and organizations like ours… which prompted them to run their own fundraising activities and conversations led by their incredible Diversity & Equity student groups.

And there are so many more.

We want to thank everyone on our team who gets those messages out there, but – even more importantly – thank those who welcome us into any conversation. We love and appreciate our community, and are thankful we have the opportunity to be an advocate for change and positive pathways to the future.

If you are interested in collaborating with our team, reach out to our communications lead Lizzie at eshort@womens-habitat.ca. You never know where a simple discussion can take you.

We have just officially wrapped up our first virtual “Cooking With Confidence”; the latest offering in Sustainable Livelihoods programming.

Participants in this 10-week pilot were provided tools, ingredients, and weekly classes. Hosted by a professional chef educator, they covered a wide range of cooking skills like how to properly use their equipment, prepare ingredients, and put together a healthy meal for their family. They were also provided an opportunity to obtain their Food Handling Certificate, that can be used to explore employment opportunities in the food service industry and expand their pathways to financial independence.

Available to both our shelter residents and outreach clients, they were able to join from wherever they were located each week. Ten weeks worth of amazing meal creations and virtual connection was an incredible opportunity for our teams, and we are so excited for the next.

Thanks to generous supporters – like Rotary Etobicoke in this case – we are able to make programs like this a reality, and bring them into the lives of our clients and their journey to empowerment.

CHECK OUT OUR INTRO HERE!

“Mom always gives back. This year we want to give back too!” – State & Main Etobicoke are donating $10 for every reservation made for Mother’s Day weekend (May 6th-8th) in honour of all the mothers in our community.

Open 11am to 11pm, there’s something for everyone in the family from sharable plates to delicious drinks, mains, small meals, salads, sides, and an amazing kids’ menu… not to mention tasty treats. An amazing family dining experience, they’re now bringing even more to the table in supporting worthy causes.

MAKE YOUR RESERVATION HERE!

“As we celebrate mothers on this day, we as an organization recognize that many of them face incredible adversity and challenges every single day.

We are grateful to State & Main for this Mother’s Day initiative. For working with us to make a difference in our community here in Etobicoke. For setting such an incredible example of what we can do when we combine forces and share in a single mission – to create a better, safer, more equitable place to live.

As a multi-service organization, the donations received from this partnership will go a long way to empower us to provide support to thousands of victims of violence and poverty – women and children in our own backyards – who are working to create sustainable livelihoods.

Sharing a meal is not just about food – it’s about coming together. And when we come together, we can not only enjoy more, we can achieve more.”

Carla Neto, Executive Director, Women’s Habitat of Etobicoke

Join us for our second-ever virtual event and silent auction. Registration and auction now open: https://givergy.ca/boundless

– Continue Reading

The pandemic has increased the rates of violence and harassment experienced by Asian communities globally. In Canada, the largest increase in individuals who have been victims of hate crimes have been of Chinese, Korean, and Southeast Asian descent. A report from Vancouver police found a 717 per cent increase in attacks on Asian communities from 2019 to 2020.  Women’s Habitat is outraged and heartbroken by the horrific murder of eight people in Atlanta, Georgia last week including six Asian women. Our hearts ache for their friends and families.

This massacre is another example of how the historical objectification, fetishization and dehumanization of Asian women so often leads to violence. It is a reminder of the persistent attacks of racism and misogyny that all Asian women experience, and the pervasiveness of this racism. While these attacks took place in the United States, this is not an American problem. Canada has a long history of anti-Asian racism, most notably ‘the Chinese head tax’ or the Chinese Immigration Act of 1885, which aimed to discourage Chinese people from entering Canada after they built the Canadian Pacific Railway.

Women’s Habitat stands united with the Asian community. We denounce racism and misogyny in all its forms and we refuse to accept the excuses made for racist perpetrators while their victims’ families grieve. We will continue to show up and speak up against all forms of hatred today and every day. 

Preventing violence against women and girls by promoting healthy masculinity; learning and sharing through creative expression.

TORONTO, March 9, 2021 – Today, Women’s Habitat of Etobicoke announces its first-ever male facilitated virtual program ‘ReelReal Men’.

This program engages male-identified youth ages 14-18 in a conversation about gender and social norms that contribute to Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and focuses on building healthy masculinity and relationships. The project aims to promote a safe space for youth to build a brotherhood, share their perspectives on manhood, build confidence and support the development of critical analysis. The project is set to start in April 2021 for 10 weeks to male-identified youth across the GTA.
Women’s Habitat believes that patriarchy is the root of GBV and recognizes violence against women and girls to be the most prevalent form of GBV. Half of all women in Canada have experienced a form of sexual or physical violence.

“We believe this conversation must take place within a problem-solving context, which must be an all-encompassing gender inclusive process. Gender based violence can only be addressed when we all work together, in solidarity.” shared Carla Neto, Community Programs Manager and creator of the project.

The RealReel Men program is set to be delivered virtually by co-facilitators Khalil Dorival and Kyle Rushton. Dorival is a Mental Wellness Coach, Author, Spiritual Leader, and has been awarded an “Invisible Hero” by Toronto Police Services & Child Care Services. “Being part of this program is the start of changing the narrative of what means to be a … Real Man!” says Dorival. Rushton is a Mindset and Personal Development Life Coach and says “being part of this program is important to me because I have personally experienced the negative effects of unhealthy masculinity. My hope is to support these young men in their development in an effort to cultivate a remarkable future for all of us.”

The project has been generously funded by the Modern Mystery School and The Hustler Young Men’s Bible Class Foundation. Both program sponsors have a long history of supporting Women’s Habitat of Etobicoke.

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About Women’s Habitat of Etobicoke
Women’s Habitat of Etobicoke is a community-based feminist organization providing lifesaving support to women and their children who are survivors of violence. Founded in 1978, our emergency shelter provides counselling and safe refuge and our outreach centre, established in 2006, offers a suite of services including group and individual counselling, parenting support and housing assistance.

For more information please contact Sojie Tate, Communications and Human Resource Manager state@womens-habitat.ca 416-576-4447 or visit www.womens-habitat.ca

We are honoured to once again partner with so many Shoppers Drug Mart stores as part of their Growing Women’s Health campaign. From now to November 1, 2019 you can visit any of these stores and support us:

· College Square, 725 College Street
· Lake Shore & Park Lawn, 2206 Lake Shore Blvd West
· Royal York, 3010 Bloor St. West
· The East Mall, 600 The East Mall, Unit 1
· Humbertown Shopping Centre, 270 The Kingsway
· Sherway Gardens, 25 The West Mall, Unit # 1267
· Six Points Plaza, 5230 Dundas St. West
· The Queensway, 125 The Queensway
· Browns Line & Lake Shore, 3730 Lake Shore Blvd West, Unit 102
· Lake Shore & 4th, 2850 Lake Shore Blvd. West
· Bloor West Village, 2223 Bloor St. West
· Thorncrest Plaza, 1500 Islington Ave.
· Burnhamthorpe Mall, 666 Burnhamthorpe Rd.

Thank you to all our amazing Shoppers partners! We love you! #ShoppersLovesYou

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. The campaign began 1981 by the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence as a Day of Unity to connect women’s advocates across the country. Starting in the United States, many Canadian women’s organizations have adopted the month as way to spread awareness.

At Women’s Habitat we often hear from friends and loved ones that they feel helpless and are unsure of the best ways to reach out and offer support to a survivor of violence. In recognition of the month, we want to offer our followers a few ways they can be there for their loved ones. Many of these points are from the Pixel Project as part of their 16 for 16 campaign featuring 16 articles about gender based violence.

Listen

One of the primary things a survivor of violence needs is for you to just sit and listen sincerely. Listen without judgment and let your friend know that both they and what they are going through is important.

Believe

Another primary thing a survivor needs is to be believed. Tell them directly: “I believe you.”

Ask how you can help

Sometimes we may feel like we know what to do in this situation or may want to immediately seek help for the survivor. We must remember that this is not about us and it is more useful to ask “Is there anything you need from me right now?”

Respect boundaries

Do not try and help or offer suggestions if they do not want any. Remember that survivors of violence have had their boundaries violated and need people to respect them.

No pressure

Never put pressure on your friend to pursue options or react in a certain way. Give them the tools to decide how to move forward and don’t judge their decisions. Remember survivors stay and go back for various reasons, financial dependence, pressure from family or community, guilt, threats…

Provide resources

Let them know that there is professional help available. Women’s Habitat runs at 24/7 crisis line answered by trained counsellors. Give them the number (416-252-5829) and let them know there are a variety of supports available. Sometimes survivors think leaving and going to a shelter is the only option. At Women’s Habitat we offer counselling, drop in and group programming at our outreach centre. We can also connect her to culturally specific supports and supports closer to her home or work.

Educate yourself

Do the research and learn about the issue. Become familiar with the cycle of violence, the signs of an abuser etc. The more you know the more you can support. You can find some great information on our resources page.

Educate others

Ending the systemic issue of gender based violence means changing our patriarchal culture. It starts with all of us. Take the time to educate your community, family, and friends about how harmful misogynistic language is and how it perpetuates violence. Share the Rape Culture Pyramid, by the 11th Principle project, a great visual to explain how changing the outcomes of gender based violence starts with changing the culture.

Get involved

Supporting a survivor can be overwhelming, frustrating and heartbreaking. It can feel like there is no hope and no justice. By getting involved you can become part of a bigger movement creating social change. There is power in numbers. Join the Women’s Habitat community and become a change maker!

Take care of yourself

Make sure you get the support you need to be a good ally to your loved one and to keep your own mental and emotional health in check. We cannot fill another’s glass from an empty jug.