This month, we are proud to spotlight one of Writers Collective of Canada’s (WCC) long-time partners, YWCA Toronto! YWCA Toronto is part of a much larger movement with member associations across the world – including 30 in Canada – delivering crucial services and programs for women, girls, and gender diverse people.
To tell us more about WCC’s partnership with YWCA Toronto, we invited Maggie Campaigne (she/her), Community Engagement Worker with a focus on Indigenous Health and Wellness, from YWCA Toronto’s Elm Centre to write a guest blog. Here is what she shared:
My team and I know, from working with participants who navigate mental health, trauma, and substance use, that each person has unique needs to support their wellbeing, happiness, and coping. Being able to offer a space and program that encourages written expression really helps some tenants at YWCA Toronto’s Elm Centre.
Writing with WCC is a way to process and share emotions or stories in a healthy format. In a circle of supportive peers, WCC’s workshops provide a safe space. Safe spaces are so important when folks are on a healing journey or going through challenges. We are deeply grateful to WCC for co-facilitating and creating that space with us, and we hope to continue for years to come.
I imagine our partnership growing and evolving each time we facilitate a new workshop to meet new needs, because every participant’s experience is different. WCC continues to be open to feedback from YWCA workers, as well as the workshop participants, and because of this, I have no doubt that this partnership will continue to be a success and make a significant impact.
Most recently, we asked WCC facilitators to steer away from too many prompts about family history, as we received feedback from some workshop attendees that it made them uncomfortable, evoking trauma from their past. In response, the workshop facilitators introduced new prompts during the following workshop, and as a result, we wrote bravely and experienced so much joy together.
As a YWCA staff member, I personally enjoy participating in the workshops. And, over the years, a number of my fellow Community Engagement Workers have also facilitated and participated in writing workshops. We have facilitated various WCC workshops with focused themes, including memoir writing and expressive writing. These workshops offer a great opportunity to see another side of the community members who participate in our other programs, to witness their creativity, and to hear the positive and encouraging affirmations they share with one another.
Through the Six Essential Practices of WCC workshops, participants naturally build rapport with each other through the kind, supportive words shared in the group – it is very special to see. It is also wonderful to hear participants complimenting each other, when ordinarily they might find themselves in cycles of negativity, or conflict and anger. The space facilitated by WCC only reflects uplifting, positive moments, and this positively influences the experience for everyone.
At YWCA Toronto’s Elm Centre, the unique style and accessible structure of WCC workshops allow participants from all backgrounds to participate. Year after year, we continue to renew the program with WCC because of the positive feedback we consistently receive from community members who attend the workshops and because of the very reliable and positive collaboration between WCC facilitators and staff coordinators.
Ultimately, YWCA Toronto participants benefit from the WCC workshops because a safe space is created to explore creativity, self-expression, and find one’s voice in a positive, supportive environment. We work with many women and gender diverse people who live with mental health challenges, and the WCC workshop model is dependable in structure and flow. This, for folks who struggle with unpredictability in life, is crucial.
These testimonials – taken from workshop participant feedback forms – say it all:
“It ignites the way for me to express myself.”
“I am going to continue writing more on pieces I started.”
“This workshop should be held at least twice a year.”
“I met new friends and connected with current ones.”
“Building on writing with no judgement.”
Thank you, Maggie, for sharing your perspective on YWCA Toronto’s partnership with WCC, and its impact over the years. We at WCC are proud to continue the necessary, transformative work of creating deep connections in community.