Discover the Superpower of Stories

Dear valued friends, supporters, mentors, and alumnae,

Happy season! Not only are we approaching the holidays, but we can now share news that has been in the making for the past year.

“We are thrilled to announce that YWCA Canada has accepted the gift of our program and will be setting up The Shoe Project across Canada for its next chapter,” says Board Chair Nick Rundall. “The work of giving voice to immigrant and refugee women through writing workshops and performances will continue.”

The Shoe Project (TSP) founder Katherine Govier says, “This is the outcome we sought to create a sustainable home. Adoption by YWCA Canada is a tribute to the strength, flexibility and originality of the project we have all worked twelve years to create. I could not be happier."

This initiative was first taken by Heather McGregor, CEO of YWCA Toronto, with whom we worked in the past. “The Shoe Project is such a fantastic opportunity to highlight the strengths of women who have come to Canada to live and thrive,” says Heather McGregor. And now, The Shoe Project has been enthusiastically taken on by YWCA’s national CEO, Aline Nizigama. “We see this as an incredible opportunity for the YWCA federation because it will help us tell the stories of the women, girls and gender diverse people we exist to serve and empower through our YWCA programming,” says Aline Nizigama.

YWCA Canada is a 150 year-old national advocacy and community action agency for women and children. With its 29 local associations across Canada and its organizational vision of empowered women and girls in a safe and equitable society, it is an ideal home for TSP. As is required by law, TSP will deliver its charitable assets to the YWCA Canada. The YWCA, the largest feminist institution in Canada, will take possession of the trademarks, brand recognition, websites, videos and other documents we have produced. Alumnae stories will remain the property of the writers.

Local YWCA sites in selected Canadian cities will offer The Shoe Project in 2024. After these pilot cycles, the YWCA hopes to grow and nurture The Shoe Project for years to come. YWCA Canada will manage the 2024 transition period.

The Shoe Project website will carry more information as it is available.

We are immensely grateful for your support of TSP from its birth to this step-up of our program. Whether mentor or mentee, volunteer or staff, you have participated in a rare and joyous coming together of women, artists and volunteers to create and tell profound stories of arrival, through our shoes.

We would love you to continue to support The Shoe Project. Please visit the YWCA Canada donation page and designate your donation to The Shoe Project.

This national fund will support local YWCAs as they deliver The Shoe Project in 2024 and beyond.

Again, we are grateful to you all and ask you to celebrate with us this major step toward a national impact for what we know is a powerful program.

Sincerely,

The Shoe Project board members and chair,