The YWCA NWT has released its annual report and announced its new board of directors.
YWCA offers services to women, girls and families in the territory, with housing being a key component. Kate Wedzin, Perez Oyugi, Lynn Napier and Rami Kaur, are the four latest board members for YWCA, according to a news release. They're joining established board members Rose Jiang, Kathy Spooner and Julie Green.
According to its annual report for the fiscal year ending in March 2024, YWCA NWT housed 101 families, which included 180 children at emergency shelters. YWCA also prevented 105 families from becoming homeless by paying arrears and outstanding utility bills, the organization's report adds.
YWCA's money, for the most part, comes from the government. Total revenue amounted to nearly $7.7 million for the fiscal year, and about $5.5 million of that money comes from grants and service contracts. The rest flows in from donations, program fees and other items.
Other highlights from the annual report include helping 30 people find jobs, feeding 602 children who are food insecure and providing more than 400 hours of free legal advice for survivors of violence.
Earlier in the fiscal year, YWCA also moved into a new place to call home. In 2018, a fire destroyed its old office at Rockhill Apartments. In December 2023, YWCA opened its new office, called Gotili Ko, on 54 Street.
The cost of Gotili Ko was more than $18 million, the annual report states. Some of that cost was covered with the help of a city property tax and permit relief, as well as donations from the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation.
"Thanks to the efforts of both staff and the volunteer board, Gotili Ko provides an additional 21 units of housing for families on 54 Street. ISA国际影视传媒檇 like to thank departing board members for their efforts steering and fundraising for the new building,SA国际影视传媒� stated Julie Green, president of YWCA NWT.
Those affordable housing units are rented at less than market rates. There are three studio apartments, a dozen one-bedroom units and six two-bedroom units.
The city's homeless count is supposed to come out in the coming weeks.
