Editor:
“Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping,” Fred Rogers.
On behalf of our team at the YWCA, I would like to express my gratitude to the many helpers across the Bow Valley who have stepped up to provide care and comfort to those experiencing the challenging impacts of the pandemic. While social distancing has kept us apart, the helping spirit of our community has brought us together in the face of great adversity.
Thank you to all of the essential workers across the valley who continue to protect and care for our communities, including our very own YWCA front-line staff. Rates of unemployment, homelessness, mental health issues, and domestic and sexual violence are all rising as the pandemic wears on, and the need for support is more critical than ever.
While 2020 has delivered many challenges, we are also grateful to have partners who share a common commitment to a safe and healthy Bow Valley. We recently announced a $100,000 investment in YWCA Thriving Futures by the Wim and Nancy Pauw Foundation, an incredible start to a fundraising campaign aimed at keeping YWCA services and operations sustainable through 2021.
And this week we launched the YWCA Community Challenge, inviting residents to create their own fundraisers in support of Thriving Futures with a very exciting opportunity to double their fundraising impact.
Thanks to the incredible generosity of an anonymous donor, all funds raised in the Community Challenge will be matched up to $100,000.
With deepest appreciation for the on-going support and confidence in our organization as well for other non-profit organizations that are doing great work in the Valley.
We will get through this together.
Connie MacDonald,
YWCA Banff CEO
