The holiday season is just around the corner, which means it’s time for YWCA Cambridge’s Festive Futures holiday giving program.
Festive Futures is an annual holiday giving program that brings together our community to help women who have been through our pre-employment and life skills program, Small Steps to Success, enjoy the holidays.
Adults are often left out of annual giving programs which tend to prioritize ensuring children are able to participate in the joy of unwrapping gifts around the holidays. For us, though, we’ve watched the women and gender diverse individuals who have gone through Small Steps work incredibly hard to overcome numerous barriers such as chronic abuse, un/under-employment, precarious living conditions and innumerable other barriers. Festive Futures is our chance to give back to the women who’ve shown such great tenacity in working toward their life and career goals, and a way for us to say thank you to them for trusting us with their stories.
Not only that, we know that many of the participants in the Festive Futures program might not otherwise receive anything at all during the holiday season. We know how good it feels to receive gifts, especially gifts of things we wouldn’t otherwise treat ourselves to like new, cozy pajamas or bubble bath, even a gift card to our favourite store.
By shopping from a wish list or making a donation, you will help provide a woman with a gift just for her, maybe the only gift she will receive this year. And, most importantly, you will let her know that she is not alone this holiday season
Want to shop a Festive Futures Wish list?
If you would like to shop for gifts for someone, our team has asked participants to share their wish lists. We encourage women to provide us with something they want, something they need, something to wear, something to read. This is a great way to feel personally connected to your gifts and the participants that will be receiving them. We ask that gifts are delivered to us unwrapped but if you are so inclined, we are always in need of donations of wrapping paper, ribbons and bows.
If your organization or workplace is looking for a rewarding way to come together and help people in our community at the holidays, please consider a group program sponsorship. Your team can gather items from our wish list or fundraise through holiday bake sales, bottle drives or any other way you find to come together to help our community over the holidays.
Additionally, if your company is able to provide new stock items such as toys, clothing, art supplies and/or books, we have a great need for these items across all programs at the holidays and beyond.
Prefer donating funds that YWCA Cambridge staff can use to fulfill the wish lists?
Financial contributions are greatly appreciated and will be used to purchase items needed to support women and families throughout the season. Donations of $20 or more will receive a charitable tax receipt.
Unwrapped gifts and monetary donations can be delivered to YWCA Cambridge Head Office at 102-55 Dickson St., Cambridge up until December 12. This allows YWCA staff – er, our resident elves – time to wrap the gifts and supplement any unfinished wish lists.
Thank you to all of the generous individuals and organizations that have embraced Festive Futures over the years and continue to support throughout the pandemic.
We are truly grateful for your overwhelming support.