New YWCA Hub gets big boost in federal funding

The YWCA Calgary is getting a financial boost from the federal government for its new home campus in Inglewood.

Dubbed the YW Hub, the $60-million facility will provide community supports for women and families when completed in next spring.

The Hub will be able to support transitional housing for 100 at-risk women while offering counselling, language and employment skills training, child-care facilities and parenting programming.

Amarjeet Sohi, federal minister of infrastructure, made the announcement of $6 million in funding on Thursday, saying the federal government is behind the YWCA’s goal to “build healthy community and healthy individuals.”

“We’re really focused on building social infrastructure, and this really ties into that goal of making sure everyone has the opportunity to succeed,” Sohi said.

The federal funding was made possible through the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program, bringing federal and provincial governments together to fund projects to stimulate economic growth and support communities.

Provincial Infrastructure Minister Sandra Jansen said the YW Hub is the “perfect example” of the program’s community benefits.

“When women and children have supports around them when they’re fleeing a situation ... it makes that transition so much easier,” Jensen said. “It’s an incredibly long journey to get to a place of self sufficiency, and to have this facility help them along the way is really incredible and wonderful.”

The YW Hub will replace the downtown location of YW Calgary, which has already been sold. It will be the organization’s first new building in almost 50 years and YWCA Calgary CEO Sue Tomney said the Hub will include time capsules in their construction, similar to ones found during the demolition of their old campus.

The federal funds are on top of the province’s $8.6 million invested through the project and another $567,000 in funds from the city.