2 Muskoka Outstanding BusinessWomen’s Awards 2009
YWCA helps women discover success
By Sandy Lockhart create their own definition of success.
It’s been almost a decade since The contacts participants meet along
YWCA Muskoka launched its the way also ensure they have a sup-
Women in Business program and over portive network in place.
250 women have since graduated “Just taking those steps and finding
from the program, many now operat- the resources along the way is a suc-
ing their own small businesses in cess,” she says. “Some people have
Muskoka. been in unhappy relationships and
“Women in Business is a program through the program find the voice to
designed for women at a transition or help make it better.”
turning point in their lives,” says Lyn- The Women in Business program,
da Hutt, employment programs co- which is offered in Bracebridge,
ordinator for YWCA Muskoka. “It Gravenhurst and Huntsville, is funded
starts in the fall and runs for 20 70 per cent by the Ontario Women’s
weeks, with the group meeting twice Directorate and the rest by private
per week. This program is helping donations and partnerships. To help
women to find and sustain more ensure its continued success, part of
financial independence.” the proceeds from the 2nd Annual
The Women in Business program Muskoka Outstanding Business-
was created by women in Muskoka Women’s Awards will be donated to
who recognized a gap in services. YWCA Muskoka.
This integrated life skills and busi- YWCA Muskoka was formed in
ness/employment skills program is 1998 by a group of women who came
designed to increase confidence, self- together to address the gap in services
esteem, skill levels and personal and for women and girls in Muskoka. It
professional networks, ultimately continues to champion equality for
leading to greater economic inde- NEW BEGINNINGS: Certificates and commemorative pins are given to Women in Busi- women and girls and supports adults
pendence.
ness graduates, but it is the life and business skills they leave with that matter most.
and youth in transition.
“It equally emphasizes business YWCA Muskoka is unique in the
skills and life skills,” she explains. women working to make positive Yoga and the Creative Cook. location on the main street in Brace- fact that it does not have a central
“Acknowledging that life skills are a changes in their lives,” she says. “It is “Women in Business really helped bridge. location where programs are operat-
key ingredient to success is so impor- amazing how the group supports me with the confidence to go ahead Through the Women in Business ed. It serves over 1,400 individuals in
tant.” itself.” with my plan and gave me so much program, participants can explore 25 locations throughout Muskoka.
By the end of the Women in Busi- Hutt says several graduates of the support,” says Beth Kelly, owner of ideas and options and make informed “We are programming based. We
ness program, participants have built program have gone on to open busi- the Creative Cook. “It helped me to decisions. “They consider: ‘Is it worth take programs to the people, instead
up their confidence and skills and nesses. She quickly lists half a dozen recognize my skills and strengths putting my time, energy and money of them coming to us for the pro-
have a direction for their future. Each in Bracebridge and Huntsville off the while finding out areas that I may into making this a reality?’” says gramming,” says Hutt. “It makes
participant prepares either a business top of her head, including the need help with.” Hutt. sense for us and the geography that
plan or life plan before graduation. Chancery Art Gallery, Deciphering Her business is almost four years Hutt explains that through the we have in Muskoka. We are known
“There is great power in a group of Dyslexia, Quilted Dreams, Sunkosi old and just moved to a new larger Women in Business program, women as the YWCA without walls.”
Straightforward
pricing from a
straightforward
company.
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