UPDATED NOVEMBER 2020
To our valued YWCA community,
With the evolving situation of COVID-19, we wanted to update you on measures YWCA Metro Vancouver is taking to ensure the health and safety of our program participants, clients, members, guests, staff and volunteers.
As an organization that provides critical services to vulnerable people in our community, we are mobilizing to find the right balance between responsibility to the people we serve and caution to keep our community safe. We are closely monitoring all advice and recommendations from provincial and federal health authorities.
We want to thank everyone for their ongoing cooperation to keep themselves and others in our community safe and healthy.
For the latest updates and advice, please visit the Public Health Agency of Canada’s website.
YWCA METRO VANCOUVER’S RESPONSE TO COVID-19, AS OF JULY 2020
YWCA Health + Fitness Centre
- The YWCA Health and Fitness Centre has re-opened to all members with a reduced capacity, timeslot booking system, increased cleaning protocols and controlled movement around the facility to ensure everyone’s health and safety.
- For the latest updates, follow the YWCA Health and Fitness Centre on Facebook.
YWCA Hotel
- The YWCA Hotel is accepting new bookings and continues to serve its local community, essential travelers and domestic travelers who need accommodation while in Vancouver, as well as its long-term guests.
- Please consider recommending the YWCA Hotel to your family and friends for future visits to Vancouver as revenue generated from our Hotel supports our programs and services.
Early Learning and Childcare
- The YWCA's Early Learning and Child Care centres re-opened in June with increased cleaning protocols and measures to ensure the health and safety of staff, children and parents.
Crabtree Corner
- A new program at Crabtree Corner Community is providing families with grocery hampers that include fruit, vegetables, staple foods and frozen meals. Where families are unable to pick up their grocery hampers, they are being delivered by staff or Uber Eats, thanks to the YWCA’s partnership with Uber.
- Staff and volunteers continue to show incredible flexibility to serve breakfast and lunch while respecting rules regarding social distancing.
- Outreach workers and support staff have been reaching out to participants online, via phone and email.
Housing
- The Housing team has remained committed to providing women and children with a place to call home, connecting with them virtually or via phone to provide support and resources.
- Communal areas are being safely shared with reduced capacity and increased cleaning protocols to ensure the health and safety of all residents.
Legal Education & Violence Prevention
- Our Legal Education and Violence Prevention programs continue to connect and support clients over the phone, through email, online and virtually. Staff Lawyer River Shannon is also supporting clients virtually and in-person for urgent and essential cases.
Single Mothers Supports
- The YWCA Single Mothers Support Services and Community Outreach programs continue to connect and provide services online and through virtual supports.
Youth Education & Mentorship
- Our Youth Education, High School Mentorship, Circle of Sisters Indigenous Mentorship and Dating Safe programs have moved their sessions and curriculums online to be run virtually when students return to school in the Fall.
Employment
- The YWCA’s employment programs, operating across Metro Vancouver, continue to serve job seekers in the community online, by phone and email. Some are currently recruiting for their upcoming cohorts.
Events
THANK YOU
We recognize this is a constantly evolving situation and we are committed to keeping our community informed on the latest advice and guidance from public health agencies.
We want to thank everyone for their ongoing cooperation to keep themselves and others in our community safe and healthy.
For the latest updates and advice, please visit PHAC’s website.
