SHOW is proud to announce their participation in the YW Kitchener-Waterloo’s Women Choosing Change Speaker Series.

This influential event, held from February 21st to May 29th, 2024, featured discussions aimed at empowering women and driving social change.  On April 17th, SHOW's Program Manager, Nicole, and Donor Engagement Coordinator, Leigh-Ann, participated in a pivotal panel discussion titled “Stripped of Dignity - Women’s Homelessness in the 21st Century.” 

This session brought together community advocates Marjorie Knight, Erin Dej, and Sara Escobar to shed light on the critical issue of women’s homelessness and the unique challenges faced by women experiencing housing instability.

Nicole and Leigh-Ann shared their insights and experiences from their work at SHOW, emphasizing the importance of providing permanent, supportive housing solutions. They discussed the comprehensive support and programming that SHOW offers to help residents maintain their housing and achieve greater stability and independence. These services include food security programs, case management, life skills training, social-recreational activities, and referrals to mental and physical health practitioners.

The discussion highlighted the intersectional challenges that women face, including trauma, mental health issues, and substance use, and how these factors contribute to housing instability. All members of the panel underscored the necessity of wrap-around supports and a compassionate, empathetic approach to help women regain their dignity and build a better future.

The YW Women Choosing Change Series provided an invaluable platform for SHOW to advocate for more affordable and supportive housing options and to raise awareness about the critical issues surrounding homelessness in our community. The engagement with community advocates and experts in the field fostered a rich dialogue on best practices and innovative solutions to address the growing needs of women facing homelessness.

We are grateful for the opportunity to participate in such a meaningful event and look forward to continuing our collaboration with community partners to create lasting change. Thank you to the YW for inviting SHOW to be a part of this extraordinary series.

From Left to Right: Nicole Pereira, Leigh-Ann Christian, Erin Dej, Sara Escobar, Marjorie Knight and moderator, Liz Monteiro (from the YW) engage with audience members during the YW Women Choosing Change Series