Women's Business Network to Host Holiday Gala In Support of YWCA and Gender-Based Violence

The Women’s Business Network (WBN) of Peterborough is hosting its annual Holiday Gala and Auction to support YWCA Peterborough Haliburton’s programs, supporting women experiencing gender-based violence on Dec. 6 at the Peterborough Holiday Inn.

Photo courtesy of Women's Business Network of Peterborough.

The online auction runs from Nov. 23 to Dec. 7 using the Nonprofit Bidding platform.

Their $15,000 goal is to help women and children in the community who are escaping abuse and violence. By 2012, the WBN had raised over $220,000 for the YWCA and to date, the WBN has raised over $340,000 in support of this imperative cause, according to a press release.

The WBN is asking the community for donations for its auction, such as gift certificates, tickets, memberships or items valued at $25 or more. Donors will have their company name/logo appear with the donated item and will receive extensive exposure through the reach of the Nonprofit Bidding platform, as stated in a press release. In addition, the donor logo will be displayed on our social media platforms and during the event. 

Anyone willing to support this can complete the Online Auction Donation Form by Nov. 15 and include their logo.

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Women-Dedicated Networking Business Celebrates 60th Anniversary

The Women’s Business Network has celebrated its 60th anniversary with a virtual event featuring guest speakers, trivia, giveaways and business spotlights for all its members on Wednesday.

Formed in 1961, the WBN is a networking channel for businesswomen who want to enhance and expand their professional contacts and grow their businesses.

The virtual gathering allowed members to give testimonials and reflect on how WBN has affected their lives and its positive impact.

“The membership boasts about 175 members at full capacity,” said Danielle McIver, WBN president. “It’s about supporting women with their goals. Whatever you’re doing as a female community member in Peterborough, we want to support you.”

Examples of network members are entrepreneurs, business owners, administrators and several other occupations. Photo Courtesy of WBN.

With the pandemic, McIver had the WBN adapt to the drastic changes the world has undergone. She became president of the organization last year.

“I’m honoured to be here to celebrate a milestone and it’s exciting that we’ve had so much change in this the last year and we’ve been able to have a strong virtual membership,” said McIver. “There was so much pivoting, so much challenge and so much change.”

Margaret Steeves was the first president of the WBN serving from 1961-1962. Photo Courtesy of WBN.

McIver made the year’s theme “you belong” since COVID-19 negatively affected several women’s careers.

“I was seeing a lot of people losing jobs, losing career paths that they felt was their identity in WBN,” she said. “The ‘you belong’ theme was really making sure we can embrace people for whatever the situation was right now that they were at.”

The WBN is run by a board of directors with up to 13 volunteer members who dedicate 10-30 hours a month to the organization. Photo Courtesy of WBN.

The WBN offers a learning program featuring guest speakers, trade shows, special events and gala socials for women in the Kawarthas and surrounding areas from September to June according to the official website.

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Women’s Business Network Of Peterborough Donates $21,000 To YWCA Crossroads Shelter

The Women’s Business Network of Peterborough (WBN) has announced a $21,019.75 donation to YWCA Peterborough Haliburton, thanks to the outstanding success of the 2016 WBN Holiday Gala held in December.
 
Each year, the Gala raises funds in support of the YWCA Crossroads Shelter, an essential community resource for women and children fleeing violence. The WBN raised its fundraising goal to $20,000 in 2016 in response to the urgent need for support during the busiest on record for the YWCA.

Left to right: Lynn Zimmer, Executive Director of YWCA Peterborough Haliburton; WBN Program Directors, Sana Virji and Louise Racine; and Nicole Pare, YWCA Special Events Coordinator.

The WBN revealed the final donation amount on Wednesday night (January 11th) at its January member’s meeting at the Peterborough Holiday Inn, where WBN Program Directors, Louise Racine and Sana Virji, presented the cheque to Lynn Zimmer, Executive Director of YWCA Peterborough Haliburton, and Nicole Pare, YWCA Special Events Coordinator.

YWCA's NUTRITIONAL WELL-BEING PROGRAM IS VITAL

The funds raised at the Gala will support the YWCA’s Nutritional Well-Being program at Crossroads Shelter, which provides healthy food, supplements and vitamins to women and their children 365 days a year, at a cost of $10.88 per person, per day. The program also helps families learn about meal planning, food preparation and principles of nutrition.
 
“The kitchen is the heart of the Crossroads Shelter,” says YWCA's Lynn Zimmer. “It’s where women prepare breakfast and lunches for themselves and their children, where informal cooking lessons can happen any day, where kids can learn to cook and women can share stories and conversation over a snack or a cup of coffee or tea. And our Nutritional Well-Being staff weave counselling into the mix along with the recipe ingredients.”

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