West Island Women’s Centre: Nearly 50 Years of Empowering Women and Families
The story of the West Island Women’s Centre began in May 1975, when a women’s conference at John Abbott College inspired the creation of an organization that would focus on networking, pay equity, and support for women. On November 10, 1975, the Women’s Centre officially opened its doors at Lakeshore Unitarian Church in Pointe-Claire.
A Legacy of Growth and Innovation
In the early days, the Centre was able to get a project grant which allowed them to offer programs three mornings a week. Eventually, the grant ran out, and in 1976 they were forced to close their doors. However, one woman managed to garner interest in reviving the Centre by posting flyers in her neighbourhood, and as a result, the Centre reopened its doors. The following year, the Centre was able to secure core funding from Centraide du Grand Montreal. By 1979, the membership of the Centre had grown to 125 women.
Looking forward 15 years later to the early 1990s, the Women’s Centre was thriving, with a growing membership and a 23-course offering from Monday to Thursday. As the Centre became busier and grew in popularity, it recognized the need to have someone at the helm to ensure stability, consistency, and organization. With Centraide’s help, they hired their first Executive Director, Debra Spring, in 1997. Debra recognized that many working women who needed access to the Centre could not attend daytime classes, and so the first evening course was introduced in 1998.
Expanding Programs to Meet Emerging Needs
In 2005, the Women’s Centre broadened its focus, creating outreach programs to address emerging needs of women in the community. Since then, the outreach activities have grown significantly, and the Centre now serves nearly 500 women through educational, social, and support programs.
The outreach program has evolved to include direct psychosocial support for participants, reflecting the Centre’s commitment to addressing the growing complexities of our community’s needs.
Since 2022, the Executive Director, Isabelle Prosnick, has overseen many positive changes to the Centre. Isabelle instituted its first-ever fundraising campaign, reassigned staff roles to better suit the Centre’s expanding needs, opened a satellite location to serve more vulnerable women, introduced Saturday morning classes with free childcare to support the needs of working mothers, and focused on optimizing operational standards to support the growth and scalability of a rapidly expanding organization.
A Vital Resource for the Community
Over the decades, countless women have contributed their time and talents to transform the West Island Women’s Centre into a vital community resource. Today, the Centre serves approximately 1,500 participants annually, offering over 80 courses, workshops, support groups, and activities focused on physical health, mental well-being, and personal growth.
In recent years, the Centre has responded to the growing challenge of social isolation, which affects one in four women globally. Groups particularly at risk include new mothers, immigrant women, single mothers, and senior women. This fall, the Centre launched a donation campaign, entitled StrongHER TogetHER, to raise crucial funds to support its ever-growing community programs that include free support groups, language classes, seniors’ activities, playgroups, and more. These initiatives aim to foster connections, reduce isolation, and empower women to thrive.
Looking Ahead
As the Centre approaches its 50th anniversary in 2025, its mission remains steadfast: to connect with women in vulnerable circumstances and to provide a robust support network for women of all ages and backgrounds. The Centre envisions a future where all women can find the resources, community, and empowerment they need to shape brighter futures for themselves and their families.
Join Us This Giving Season
As the fall session concludes, the West Island Women’s Centre is preparing for its winter programming with registration opening on December 6, 2024. Whether you’re looking to explore a new hobby, meet new people, or access support, the Centre is here for you.
For more information about its programs or to contribute to the fall donation campaign, visit www.wiwc.ca. Together, we can continue building a strong, supportive community for women.