While the COVID-19 situation shifts day by day, so do the needs of our community. Our priority at the YWCA is to support community members who find themselves in vulnerable times, and this time is no different.
We continue to offer services including emergency shelter, domestic and sexual violence outreach, and short-term and long term housing options. We are also working with the Town of Banff to provide isolation spaces for vulnerable people in the community.
Like most employers in Banff, the sudden and severe downturn has impacted employment within our organization. We have had to lay off several positions, and we are grateful to the remaining staff who are working with reduced hours or salary rollbacks.
As our work continues, our two main sources of income – our social enterprise hotel and our fundraising events – have come to an abrupt halt. We are grateful for the funding support we have received from government and partners to cover incremental costs. We are moved by the generosity of those who have reached out with in-kind donations and other essential items to support the many individuals we serve.
However, we still have the day to day costs of our facility to manage, and combined with the disruption of our primary revenue streams, this puts a significant strain on the sustainability of our organization.
How can you help?
Please consider supporting the YWCA with a financial donation during these uncertain times. Your support will help us sustain operations, respond to the increased needs of Bow valley residents accessing our services, and keep people employed during the pandemic.
We will continue to do our best to keep you informed as we monitor this situation and respond accordingly. Thank you for your continued support as we navigate these challenging times.