Breaking News!

Photo by Neighbour Newmarket

Ontario invests $6.9 million to break down socioeconomic opportunities for women!

The Ontario government announced their $6.9 million investment in women's futures at the Women's Centre of York Region (WCYR) on March 27, 2023. WCYR has been chosen to receive annualized funding as one of the new ten organizations the Ontario government selected to expand the Investing in Women's Futures Fund. This investment will be distributed over 3 years to remove socioeconomic barriers for women by providing wraparound support and economic readiness skill-building programs. WCYR was honoured to host Charmaine Williams, Associate Minister of Women's Social and Economic Opportunity, Monte McNaughton, Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development, and Dawn Gallagher Murphy, MPP Newmarket-Aurora, to make this announcement.

WCYR is excited to announce this funding will be utilized to develop a First Step program for women here in York Region. The First Step program is a new multifaceted program aimed to complement existing services by providing service users with a central access point and individualized system navigation to available community services, how to access them and receive the one-on-one support required to take the first step. Additionally, the program will offer group programs to teach the basics of essential workplace digital skills and volunteer placement opportunities for women to gain valuable work experience, enhance soft skills and build their professional network. These activities, funded through the Investing in Women's Futures Fund, will fill service gaps women and survivors face in accessing services, securing economic stability and improving their overall well-being in York Region.

Program details to follow in the coming weeks.

The Ontario government announced an expansion to the Investing in Women's Futures program on March 27th, to create more economic opportunities for women and help women who experience social and economic barriers to connect to supports.

To learn more about the Investing in Women's Future fund and this announcement please view the available media below.

Ontario Press Release March 27, 2023: https://news.ontario.ca/en/release/1002866/ontario-helping-more-women-build-skills-and-get-jobs

CTV News Article and Video: https://barrie.ctvnews.ca/ontario-investing-6-9-million-to-create-economic-opportunities-for-women-1.6330708

I Heart Radio article: https://www.iheartradio.ca/ontario-investing-6-9-million-to-create-economic-opportunities-for-women-1.19411702

NewmarketToday: https://www.newmarkettoday.ca/local-news/womens-centre-of-york-region-gets-boost-to-help-lift-women-up-6764050#:~:text=In%20total%2C%20the%20province%20is,women%20up%2C%E2%80%9D%20she%20said.