Women's Circle
The Women’s Circle is a place of connection, self-care, and support, where cis and trans women and gender diverse folks can come together to have fun, engage, and empower one another in a safe space.
This series of sessions will cover various themes, including fostering connections, developing life skills, building resilience, and exploring self-care practices. Join us to connect with others, acquire new skills, and enjoy engaging and empowering activities.
Women’s Circle is free, and pre-registration is required. Sign up early as spaces are limited.
For any questions regarding the Women’s Circle, please contact .
Upcoming Events & Registration:
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Ugly Sweater Making: Thurs, Dec 19, 2024
Women’s Circle: Ugly Sweater Making
Date: Thursday, December 19th, 2024
Time: 6 PM – 8 PM. The event will start promptly at 6 PM.
Location: Great Room, YWCA Banff (102 Spray Ave, Banff, AB T1L 1A6)
Facilitator: Liz (she/her) YWCA Banff Residential Programs Counsellor & Guest Facilitator Amelie
Cost: Free – Registration required.Who is this event for?
This event is suitable for cis and trans women as well as gender-diverse folks. YWCA Banff staff members who are present have attended 2SLGBTQIA+ DEI training prior to the event. The event is open to everyone ages 16+. No previous connection to YWCA Banff is needed to attend.
What to expect:
Join Amelie (She/Her) and Liz (She/Her) for a fun evening of making ugly sweaters and connecting with others. This can be worn anytime you feel like a laugh, or at a holiday gathering. Sweaters, decorations and materials are provided by the YWCA.
What to wear/bring:
Please wear clothing you are comfortable crafting in. Bring a sweater of your own to decorate if you would like! We also have an assortment to choose from.
Food and beverages:
An assortment of light snacks and non-alcoholic beverages will be provided. If you require any dietary accommodations (ex: gluten-free, vegetarian, dairy-free, etc.), please indicate so in the registration form.
Childcare:
- A YWCA Banff staff member will be available to provide free childcare onsite at the YWCA Banff building. Please let us know in advance if childcare is of interest.
Accessibility:
- The event will be held in the “Great Room” at YWCA Banff. To get to the room, inquire with the front desk staff when arriving at the YWCA Banff building.
- There are stairs to get into the room. The room is not accessible.
- Gender neutral private stalls are available. The washrooms are located down the hallway to the right of the front desk.
- The room will have overhead lighting. Noise levels will be low-medium.
- Participants may access YWCA Banff’s counselling room if they need access to a quiet space. Please talk to the facilitator if you need to access this space.
- The maximum number of participants for this session is 15.
Transportation:
There is free parking at YWCA Banff around the main building. You do not need to register your vehicle to park.
The closest Roam bus stops are the “Mountain Ave” stop (Route 1) or “Spray Avenue” stop (route 2). Both are just opposite the YWCA on the
Free bus passes for the Canmore – Banff Regional 3 Line are available if needed. You can request a pass via the sign-up form and a staff member will get in contact with you.
Contact Details:
Please contact Liz at with any questions or can no longer attend the event. Please try to contact Liz 48 hours in advance for accommodations.
Registration:
Women's Circle: Ugly Sweater Making (Thurs, Dec 19)
For more details, please see the YWCA Banff website.
Past Events:
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Nature Walk: Wed, Oct 16, 2024
Women’s Circle: Nature Walk
Date: Wednesday, October 16th
Time: 3PM – 5PM
Location: Riverside Park (600 River Rd, Canmore, AB T1W 2E4). We will be meeting at 3PM near the statue
Facilitator: Marzena (she/her). Marzena is a student of Wild Rose College and graduated as Practical Herbalist.
Cost: Free – registration required.Who is this event for?
This event is suitable for cis and trans women as well as gender-diverse folks. YWCA Banff staff members who are present have attended 2SLGBTQIA+ DEI training prior to the event. The event is open to everyone ages 16+. No previous connection to YWCA Banff is needed to attend.
What to expect:
Join Marzena (She/Her) as she guides us on a nature walk. On our walk we will identify and learn about healing properties of many local plants. We will walk from Riverside Park towards the Old Engine bridge, then climb the stairs towards Nordic Center. The length of the walk may be up to 1 km, depending on how many plants we see on our path.
The event will start promptly at 3:15 PM. Please arrive at 3:00 PM.
What to bring/wear:
- Please bring a pen and notebook as there will be lots of information!
- This event will happen rain or shine. Please dress appropriately for the weather and wear shoes you are comfortable walking in outdoors.
Food and beverages:
An assortment of light snacks and non-alcoholic beverages will be provided. If you require any dietary accommodations (ex: gluten-free, vegetarian, dairy-free, etc.), please indicate so in the registration form.
Childcare:
- There will be no childcare for this session.
Accessibility:
- This event will be held at Riverside Park, which is open to the public.
- The event will include walking up to 1 km on mixed, mostly flat terrain and walking up stairs.
- Public washrooms are available on-site. They are outhouse style washrooms.
- As this event is outdoors, weather conditions and noise levels will vary.
- This event is capped at 12 participants.
- If you require any additional accommodations, please specify this in the registration form.
Transportation:
- Limited parking spots are available next to Riverside Park. Parking rates are $3 per hour.
- Use this map to view accessible stalls in the Town of Canmore: https://www.canmore.ca/your-community/community-supports-and-services/accessibility
- The closest bus stop is the “Canmore 9th Street” bus stop. It is located 550 metres from Riverside Park.
- Free bus passes for the Canmore – Banff Regional 3 Line are available if needed. You can request a pass via the sign-up form and a staff member will get in contact with you.
Contact Details:
Please contact Jenesa at with any questions or can no longer attend the event. Please try to contact Jenesa 48 hours in advance for accommodations.
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Pumpkin Carving & Decorating: Thurs, Oct 24, 2024
Women’s Circle: Pumpkin Decorating and Carving
Date: Thursday October 24th, 2024
Time: 6 PM – 8 PM. The event will start promptly at 6 PM.
Location: Great Room, YWCA Banff (102 Spray Ave, Banff, AB T1L 1A6)
Facilitator: Jenesa (she/her), Outreach Counsellor at YWCA Banff
Cost: Free – Registration required.Who is this event for?
This event is suitable for cis and trans women as well as gender-diverse folks. YWCA Banff staff members who are present have attended 2SLGBTQIA+ DEI training prior to the event. The event is open to everyone ages 16+. No previous connection to YWCA Banff is needed to attend.
What to expect:
Join Outreach Counsellor Jenesa (She/Her) for a cozy and creative evening as we celebrate the fall season with pumpkin decorating! This session offers a relaxed and supportive space where folks can come together to express their creativity, share stories, and build community. Whether you prefer painting, carving, or using decorative materials, all supplies will be provided. No artistic experience is necessary!
Along with pumpkin decorating, we’ll also create a space for reflection and conversation, where we can connect, support one another, and enjoy some seasonal treats. This is a wonderful opportunity to unwind, get creative, and enjoy the warmth of community as we embrace the change of together.
What to wear/bring:
Please wear clothing you are comfortable getting dirty in.
Food and beverages:
An assortment of light snacks and non-alcoholic beverages will be provided. If you require any dietary accommodations (ex: gluten-free, vegetarian, dairy-free, etc.), please indicate so in the registration form.
Childcare:
- Childcare will be provided by a YWCA Banff staff team member, in the YWCA Banff building.
Accessibility:
- The event will be held in the “Great Room” at YWCA Banff. To get to the room, turn left when entering the front entrance of the building.
- There is a set of stairs to access this room, and the room is not wheelchair accessible.
- Gender neutral private stalls are available. The washrooms are located down the hallway to the right of the front desk.
- The room will have overhead lighting. Noise levels will be low-medium.
- Participants may access YWCA Banff’s counselling room if they need access to a quiet space. Please talk to the facilitator if you need to access this space.
- The capacity of this event is 15 people
Transportation:
There is free parking at YWCA Banff around the main building. You do not need to register your vehicle to park.
The closest bus stop is the “Mountain Ave” Roam bus stop. It is located 130 metres from YWCA Banff.
Free bus passes for the Canmore – Banff Regional 3 Line are available if needed. You can request a pass via the sign-up form and a staff member will get in contact with you.
Contact Details:
Please contact Jenesa at with any questions or can no longer attend the event. Please try to contact Jenesa 48 hours in advance for accommodations.
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Upcycle Paint Night: Thurs, Nov 7, 2024
Women’s Circle: Upcycle Paint Night
Date: Thursday, Nov 7th, 2024
Time: 6 PM – 8 PM. The event will start promptly at 6 PM.
Location: Great Room, YWCA Banff (102 Spray Ave, Banff, AB T1L 1A6)
Facilitator: Jenesa (she/her), Outreach Counsellor at YWCA Banff
Cost: Free – Registration required.Who is this event for?
This event is suitable for cis and trans women as well as gender-diverse folks. YWCA Banff staff members who are present have attended 2SLGBTQIA+ DEI training prior to the event. The event is open to everyone ages 16+. No previous connection to YWCA Banff is needed to attend.
What to expect:
Join Jess (She/Her), a local Banffite who has called this gorgeous mountain town home for the last nine years. She is excited to share her passion for teaching new ways to experience art and creativity with the community, and help foster lasting connections in a place that can sometimes feel a little transient.
Jess will be hosting a paint-night where participants will re-fashion an article of clothing using fabric paints. We will have number of thrifted, donated or found clothing items and materials, as well participants are encouraged to bring along a personal item, this item can be donated or upcycled. Participants will learn how to use tools to create an amazing item that they can wear and show off this fantastic way to avoid single-use fashion.
What to wear/bring:
Please wear clothing you are comfortable crafting in. Feel encouraged to bring clothing items you have to paint or to donate for someone else to other participants.
Food and beverages:
An assortment of light snacks and non-alcoholic beverages will be provided. If you require any dietary accommodations (ex: gluten-free, vegetarian, dairy-free, etc.), please indicate so in the registration form.
Childcare:
- A YWCA Banff staff member will be available to provide free childcare onsite at the YWCA Banff building.
Accessibility:
- The event will be held in the “Great Room” at YWCA Banff. To get to the room, turn left when entering the front entrance of the building.
- There is a set of stairs to access this room, and the room is not wheelchair accessible.
- Gender neutral private stalls are available. The washrooms are located down the hallway to the right of the front desk.
- The room will have overhead lighting. Noise levels will be low-medium.
- Participants may access YWCA Banff’s counselling room if they need access to a quiet space. Please talk to the facilitator if you need to access this space.
- The capacity of this event is 15 people
Transportation:
There is free parking at YWCA Banff around the main building. You do not need to register your vehicle to park.
The closest bus stop is the “Mountain Ave” Roam bus stop. It is located 130 metres from YWCA Banff.
Free bus passes for the Canmore – Banff Regional 3 Line are available if needed. You can request a pass via the sign-up form and a staff member will get in contact with you.
Contact Details:
Please contact Jenesa at with any questions or can no longer attend the event. Please try to contact Jenesa 48 hours in advance for accommodations.
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Flower Art: Thurs, Nov 21, 2024
Women’s Circle: Flower Art
Date: Thursday, Nov 21st, 2024
Time: 6 PM – 8 PM. The event will start promptly at 6 PM.
Location: Great Room, YWCA Banff (102 Spray Ave, Banff, AB T1L 1A6)
Facilitator: Jenesa (she/her), Outreach Counsellor at YWCA Banff
Cost: Free – Registration required.Who is this event for?
This event is suitable for cis and trans women as well as gender-diverse folks. YWCA Banff staff members who are present have attended 2SLGBTQIA+ DEI training prior to the event. The event is open to everyone ages 16+. No previous connection to YWCA Banff is needed to attend.
What to expect:
Join Jenesa (She/Her) for a serene evening creating a pressed flower art masterpiece as we explore the beauty of nature. Whether you want to create a bookmark, or a framed piece of art, come enjoy the calming space and let your creativity flow. All materials needed will be provided.
What to wear/bring:
Please wear clothing you are comfortable crafting in.
Food and beverages:
An assortment of light snacks and non-alcoholic beverages will be provided. If you require any dietary accommodations (ex: gluten-free, vegetarian, dairy-free, etc.), please indicate so in the registration form.
Childcare:
- A YWCA Banff staff member will be available to provide free childcare onsite at the YWCA Banff building.
Accessibility:
- The event will be held in the “Great Room” at YWCA Banff. To get to the room, turn left when entering the front entrance of the building.
- There is a set of stairs to access this room, and the room is not wheelchair accessible.
- Gender neutral private stalls are available. The washrooms are located down the hallway to the right of the front desk.
- The room will have overhead lighting. Noise levels will be low-medium.
- Participants may access YWCA Banff’s counselling room if they need access to a quiet space. Please talk to the facilitator if you need to access this space.
- The capacity of this event is 15 people
Transportation:
There is free parking at YWCA Banff around the main building. You do not need to register your vehicle to park.
The closest bus stop is the “Mountain Ave” Roam bus stop. It is located 130 metres from YWCA Banff.
Free bus passes for the Canmore – Banff Regional 3 Line are available if needed. You can request a pass via the sign-up form and a staff member will get in contact with you.
Contact Details:
Please contact Jenesa at with any questions or can no longer attend the event. Please try to contact Jenesa 48 hours in advance for accommodations.
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