2020 ANNUAL REPORT
2020 FISCAL REPORT
YWCA Brandon
148-11th street
Brandon, Manitoba
R7A 4J4
P: 204-571-3680 F: 204-571-3687
YWCA Brandon
Board of Directors 2022
Candice Waddell-Henowitch, President
Vice
Stephanie Will, Treasurer
Archana Krishnan, Secretary
Alexandra Paiva, Board Director
Alix Councill, Board Director
Kris Docherty, Board Director
Joy Escalera, Board Director
Jessica Burton, Board Director
Alisha Levesque, Board Director
Jan Damery, Interim Executive Director
Message from the President
2020 was like no other year. When I accepted the appointment of Chair to the Board of Directors, I could never have predicted the unprecedented year we had ahead. YWCA Brandon, through much adversity found strength in each other. Like many non-profits that felt the impacts of COVID-19, we gathered to manage emergent issues and spent time developing strategies to ensure we could provide continuous services and support, consistently.
Our people are the backbone.
The staff at the Westman Women’s Shelter and Meredith Place have worked long hours, took on extra responsibilities, and were faced with new situations that activated their response to pivot to continue serving the Westman community. To the Board of Director volunteers, a group of strong, determined, warrior womxn; I thank you for your advocacy and teamwork through turbulent times. Executive Director, Heather Symbalisty has worked tirelessly and is the true embodiment of a fearless leader. On behalf of the Board of Directors, we thank you as well. From our volunteers, part-time staff to our shelter managers, each staff of YWCA Brandon deserves my deepest gratitude and thank-you for the hard work.
Our donors and the Westman community spread the love. We experienced tremendous support from our donors in place of our annual fundraising events that had to be postponed. The Women of Distinction event was postponed, and our Walk a Mile in Her Shoes event had the same fate. We however, pivoted our efforts and launched our first, virtual run fundraiser the Keeping Spirits Bright campaign that reach record-high donations of over $17,000.00. The love received has filled hearts of the individuals we serve.
I know the YWCA Brandon will meet hardships in the coming months and years but through these challenging times I know we have the strength to break barriers and be the best we can be. As we approach spring, we know we are here as womxn supporting womxn.
Much Love,
Kristin Jette, Chair
YWCA Brandon Housing
Meredith Place Transitional Residence
YWCA Meredith Place is a 24 hours co-ed facility Housing 21 individuals. Transitional housing and
Supervised care is offered to a wide variety of clients
In need of safe, supportive, and affordable housing.
The residents of Meredith Place are provided with
Meals, support, information, and referrals to assist
Them to acquire skills needed to move to their
Personal level of independence. A Case Manager
Works one-on-one with the residents to support
Them in achieving their goals.
YWCA Emergency Family Units
The YWCA Brandon offers short term emergency housing for women, men, and their children. The units, located on the lower level at YWCA Meredith Place, have been operational since 2006. They offer women, men and their families a place of residence until suitable, affordable housing can be obtained.
YWCA Westman Women’s Shelter
The YWCA Westman Women’s Shelter provides safe, emergency shelter for women and their children who are at risk due to relationship violence. The Shelter is staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and has space for up to 24 women and children. The shelter offers secure accommodation, individual and group counselling to women and children, non-residential counselling, follow-up support, children’s programs, and public education. They also operate a 24 hour crisis line for people experiencing abuse in their community.
Support services allow opportunities for women to make informed decisions about their future, while counselling services assist victims coping and healing from the effects of abuse.
YWCA Westman Women’s Shelter’s Programs and Services
Non-Residential Services
We provide short-term support services for women in the community who are experiencing abuse who choose not to enter the shelter. Services include groups and outings to encourage growth, counselling to assist in learning and recognizing abusive behaviors. Safety planning, self-esteem and identity are also explored.
Public Education
A Counsellor is available to the community to provide the Westman area with information concerning family violence. Please contact the YWCA Westman Women’s Shelter at 204-727-3644 if you would like to request information, services or presentations for your business, classroom, non-profit organization or event.
Follow-Up Program
Provides assistance to former residential clients of the shelter who have left abusive relationships and are living on their own in the community. The program helps them to plan long-term and make on-going changes towards an independent lifestyle and the development of non-abusive, reciprocal relationships. Follow-up services ensure a continuum of supports are available to women after the crisis stage has passed and as they re-establish their families in the community.
Groups
Support Groups are held twice a month for those wanting to learn more about healthy relationship styles. Sharing Groups are also held twice a month and allow for women to share their stories, form new friendships and support from one another. Other groups include:
Triple P Positive Parenting
A Practical approach to raising children that emphasizes nurturing relationships, and
positive communication, in a loving supportive family setting.
Anger Solutions
Provides proven strategies for effectively resolving anger and taking control of your emotions.
Children’s Program
Provides in-house and follow-up support
to children who have witnessed abuse. The program follows a Hands Are For… model and is filled with fun and play. It is a preventive/intervention program that teaches healthy relationships and anger expression in order to break the cycle of family violence.
YWCA EVENTS
The YWCA Women of Distinction Awards Gala
has been held since 1985 to honor women of
the Brandon, Westman, and Parkland regions.
This prestigious award recognizes women for
their individual achievements, outstanding
presence as role models to other women and
girls, and their significant contributions to the
well-being of the community at large.
In 2019 we had 17 women and 3 young women
nominated for this honour.
The Award Categories are as follows:
The YWCA Women of Distinction
Leadership in Business
Arts & Culture
Agriculture
Social Action & Community Service
Excellence in Education
Healthy Living, Wellness & Recreation
Lifetime Achievement
Youth Award (16-21 Years)
Young Woman (22-29 Years)
Junior Youth Award (10-15 Years)
Nominate a woman you know for a
YWCA Women of Distinction Award!
Keeping Spirits Bright
Every donation received to the Westman Women's
Shelter in the months of November and December
goes towards a string of lights to hang on our tree
to support women’s programs. Become a sponsor and
help light the tree to fight violence against women.
In 2020 we added a very successful Virtual Run to Keeping Spirits Bright. We are excited to continue this portion of the campaign in 2021.
Selected Financial Information for the YWCA Brandon and the Westman Women's Shelter
For the Year Ended 2020
ASSETS
Total Cash & Investments
Receivables
Other Assets
Capital Assets
LIABILITIES
Accounts Payable
Unearned & deferred contributions
Deferred Contributions - Capital
Net Assets
Invested in Capital Assets
Family Violence Prevention
Internally restricted
Unrestricted
INCOME STATEMENT
Revenues
Government Grants
Other grants & United Way
Program Fees
Donations
Events & fundraising
Realized contributions
Expenses
Administration
Building improvement & repairs
Program expenses
Fundraising expenses
Amortization
Capital expenses
Net surplus
YWCA Brandon
2020 2019
$ 231,160 $ 178,059
85,918 67,580
2,893 1,846
580,408 586,720____
$ 900,379 $ 834,205____
$ 30,701 $ 38,552
15,166 16,520
151,950 174,849____
$ 197,817 $ 229,921____
$ 428,458 $ 411,871
50,107 46,811
58,457 43,715
165,540 101,887___
$ 702,562 $ 604,284___
$ 900,379 $ 834,205___
$ 105,178 $ 96,325
87,330 85,056
304,768 391,698
154,687 35,740
2,950 141,444
22,899 22,899___
$ 677,812 $ 773,162___
$ 30,747 $ 69,136
26,504 21,648
469,583 471,225
118 79,010
19,858 21,196
32,725 11,216___
$ 579,535 $ 673,431__
$ 98,277 $ 99,731__
YWCA Westman Women's Shelter
2020 2019
$ 409,679 $ 241,316
29,857 51,859
2,893 5,317
36,343 37,213______
$ 478,881 $ 335,525 ___
$ 77,247 $ 78,490
121,175 142,350
0 0_____
$ 198,422 $ 220,840_____
$ 36,343 $ 37,213
106,052 49,378
0 0
138,064 28,094____
$ 280,459 $ 114,685____
$ 478,881 $ 335,525____
$ 526,326 $ 535,726
94,787 4,953
109,447 148,399
87,552 26,643
1,200 0
0 0______
$ 819,312 $ 715,721
$ 39,818 $ 44,717
0 0
594,556 644,686
0 0
3,871 3,721 15,295 4,389_____
$ 653,540 $ 697,513_____
$ 165,772 $ 18,208_____
*YWCA Brandon recently changed accounting practices as well as received a large one time anonymous donations due to Covid-19*