A provincial grant for the YWCA Muskoka will allow them to improve operations internally, improve behind-the-scenes infrastructure and better support the community.
That’s according to Hannah Lin, Executive Director of the YW. She says they got $85,400 through the Ontario Trillium Foundation’s Community Resiliency. She explains since they’ve moved to work remotely, it’s been difficult for co-workers to communicate with each other as well as for members of the community to connect with certain staff members. Lin says the money has already been used to upgrade the organization’s phone system and will soon implement programs to support staff’s mental health.
“We will be able to reach more people,” Lin says.
Two people have already been hired to help. Lin says one will focus on the new calling system while the other will support community outreach. She says they have a deadline of March 2023 to use the remaining provincial dollars.
Parry Sound-Muskoka MPP Graydon Smith says during his time as mayor of Bracebridge he worked with a lot of great organizations and the YWCA is near the top of the list. “As a parent of a young girl, I’m just so thankful you’re there for women and girls in the community,” he told Lin and other YW members during their annual general meeting at St. Thomas’ Anglican Church. “It just makes a huge impact.”
“I’m just excited for the YWCA Muskoka to be the best they can be,” he said.