The YWCA Peterborough Haliburton has a new pathway to the future, with the launch of our new five-year Strategic Plan for 2023-2028. The plan was ratified by the Board of Directors earlier in the year after a lengthy development and consultation process, including Board and staff committee members, and will be officially launched at the first meeting of the 2023-2024 Board this evening at 6:00pm.
Particular focus is made in the new strategic plan on several of the YWCA’s core values: the inclusion of gender-diverse people who self-identify as women in our programs; anti-racism and an anti-oppressive approach to social services; and a commitment to Reconciliation with the impacts of settler history on the lands and people of the First Nations of our region.
“We are thrilled to share our new strategic plan with the public, on behalf of our Board of Directors and our staff,” says Sherri Ireland, President, YWCA Board of Directors. “It is a time of significant renewal and growth for the YWCA, both here in Peterborough-Haliburton and for the organization nationally and globally. After emerging from the most stringent restrictions of the pandemic, and facing the increased challenges for gender equity and the safety of women, we are at an important point of transition alongside fellow agencies that deal with gender-based violence.”
Kim Dolan, Executive Director of YWCA Peterborough Haliburton, shares that the new strategic plan comes at a critical time, and will serve the organization by helping us to keep thinking outside of existing lines and focusing on the future we desire.
“Amid shortages of funding for service organizations, as well as shortages of affordable housing and food, we must be more mindful than ever of our mandate and mission, and ways we can continue to serve women in our community as needs rise while resources diminish,” Ms. Dolan says. “Yet we intentionally choose not to operate from a mindset of scarcity, instead planning and thinking creatively and openly about how to achieve our goals.”
The new strategic plan is available to view on our website at ywcapeterborough.org/strategic-plan.