Miia Suokonautio – Executive Director
Nicole Boutilier – Program Coordinator
YWCA Programs
Poverty to Possibility
>LAUNCH
>Bridge Program
>FLNP
>A Step Ahead
Violence to Resilience
> December 6th Fund
>GirlSpace
>SafetyNET
Helping Families Thrive
>Child Care Centres
>Licensed Family Home Day Care
Empowering Women
>Conversation Club
>Youth Advisory Council
Homelessness to Hope
>Supportive Housing for Young Mothers (SHYM)
>Women in Supported Housing (WISH)
Case Studies & Discussion
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5.
What are the barriers to this woman’s economic
security?
What should her first step be?
What is the approximate time she would need to
achieve her goals?
Who would you go to for help?
What resources would you use to help her achieve
her goals?
Spryfield at a Glance
Families
--32.5% are lone female parent families, 5.5% lone male
parent families, 34.5% two parent families, and 27.5% families
with no children.
--pregnancy rate is higher for Spryfield (110), compared to the
remainder of HRM (42) per 1000 women aged 15-19.
Education
--5.6% of Spryfield population has a university bachelor’s
degree or higher compared to 22.9% for HRM.
--13.5% of Spryfield population has less than a Grade 9
education, compared to 5.3% for HRM.
Statistics and quotes have been taken from We are Spryfield Community Profile, 2006.
Spryfield at a Glance
Employment & Income
--50% of Spryfield adults are employed (63% HRM), 6%
unemployed but looking for work (6% HRM) and 44% not in
the labour force (31% HRM).
--Average household incomes are noticeably smaller for
families in Spryfield ($30,000) compared to the rest of HRM
($57,000).
Stigma
--“A common theme among residents is the negative opinion
many outsiders have of Spryfield. Residents are offended by
Spryfield’s image as a violent and crime-ridden place, and the
majority feel that Spryfield is safe, and are proud to call it
home.”
Statistics and quotes have been taken from We are Spryfield Community Profile, 2006.
Spryfield at a Glance
Housing
--65% of housing in Spryfield is rented, compared to the
remainder of HRM at 38%.
Transportation
--25% of Spryfield residents rely on public transit, compared
to 8% of the remainder of HRM.
Community space
--“Spryfield’s image, ethnicity, socio-economic levels and arts
are all expressions of community culture… Spryfield is rich in
people with artistic ability and creativity. Cultural community
events help nurture connections and friendships, which has
large community events in 6 months of the year.”
Statistics and quotes have been taken from We are Spryfield Community Profile, 2006.
Bridge Program
The YWCA examined a few different models for this
program and found that the Crittenton Women’s Union
(Boston) had the model that best met the needs of the
women in our community.
The model takes into account all aspects of a woman’s
life: Family Stability, Health & Well-Being, Education &
Training, Financial Management, and Employment &
Career.
Bridge Program
Through one on one support, women in the Bridge
program are able to examine their barriers, discuss
solutions, and create a plan to overcome these barriers.
Each woman sets goals, which helps address these
barriers and helps move them up the path of success.
A program coordinator helps support women by keeping
the focus on the goal, giving help during crises and
providing additional support and referral.
Intake
• Intake usually lasts about 2 hours.
• Participants complete an application form.
• Discussion around each pillar and if there are any
identified barriers within those pillars.
• Discuss steps in which to overcome those barriers &
meet goals. Write out a plan, or step by step guide on
what participants want to do next.
• Discuss what types of education and employment they
were considering. Referrals to other agencies to assist
women in discovering their skills and possible careers
that would be complementary.
Hot jobs
YWCA Halifax identified strategic career paths, or Hot Jobs,
to best support participants. This list is provided to
participants in order for them to make informed decisions
about a career path and earning potential. They are not
limited to these options.
Hot Jobs require approximately 2 years of education at a
community college level, have low unemployment rates, and
provide a family sustaining wage (average of $16+/hour).
Examples are: Health technicians, Lab technicians, Dental
Assistants, Computer Support Technicians, Graphic Design,
Communications and Marketing, Service Industry Managers,
Social Worker, Early Childhood Education.
Set Goals
Participants set goals as a way to identify their priorities and
steps needed in order to become self-sufficient. For example,
if they are wanting to write their GED or attend ALP programs,
they would fill out Level 1 goal chart and then can move to
Level 2 goal chart when they continue on to NSCC.
These goals can be under any pillar, and most are aimed at
their education and employment goals.
Second most common barrier are in relation to family
responsibilities. Ex: Childcare (interviewing and putting name
on waitlist), subsidy applications, or behavioural/health issues.
Goal Chart (Level 2)
& Incentives
As participants achieve their goals, they receive the
incentive attached to that goal.
For Level 1 (GED & ALP), the totals range from $25 to
$125.
For Level 2 (NS Community College), the totals range
from $25 (intake) to $500 for final goal completion.
Participant Group Meetings
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Once a month
Sharing of Resources
Building Network and Supports
Professional Development
Share and Celebrate Success
Advisory Council
Comprised of predominantly women in educational fields, or
hold positions that are linked with ‘Hot Job’ professions in the
Halifax area.
Executive Director of Spryfield District Business Commission
has connections to over 180 businesses in the Spryfield area.
AC members have agreed to provide information and
guidance, information interviews and possible job shadowing
opportunities to participants.
Challenges
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Participants want help with paying tuition.
Cost of childcare.
Funding sustainability.
Knowledge of program in community.
Accomplishments to Date
Outreach, referral and casework support to a total of 88 women.
Casework support includes referrals related to:
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Career Development: 30
Childcare: 18
Childcare subsidy: 15 (25 children)
Financial Management: 14
Advocacy: 15++
Medical and Mental Health: 6
Children’s Programs: 3
Physical Violence: 1
Basic Needs (food and clothing banks, family resource
centres): 2
Accomplishments to Date
Of the 88 women who have come into contact with the
Bridge Program, 20 have completed the intake
process and are fully participating in the program
model. Of these 20 women:
• 2 (10%) completed university degrees.
• 16 (80%) began attending Nova Scotia Community
College courses and Adult Learning Program classes in
order to get their GED equivalent.
• 5 (20%) have secured employment in their chosen
career path, are self-sufficient and have safe/secure
housing.
Success Stories
• Tara
• Laura
Questions?
Miia Suokonautio, Executive Director
m.suokonautio@ywcahalifax.com, 902.423.6162 ext 2230
Nicole Boutilier, Program Coordinator
n.boutilier@ywcahalifax.com, 902.423.6162 ext 4241
www.ywcahalifax.com