Our History

Working Women Community Centre was created in June 1976 in Toronto's West End to help newcomer women with pre-employment and employment counselling. Specifically the Centre was created to help women from Portugal, Latin America, the Caribbean and Africa. The original name of the Centre was Women's Community Employment Centre and later changed to WWCC with the view to conveying that all women were entitled to meaningful employment.

History of Training and Social Enterprise Programs

WWCC has a long history of innovative and responsive employment training and social enterprise programs. Our strength has been and still is our ability to adapt and respond to the needs of women in Toronto's newcomer communities with creative yet pragmatic programs and services. Here is a bit of our history.

Working Women Community Centre and Humber College co-sponsored the Immigrant Women into Electronics Assembler Program. The objective of the program was to provide immigrant women with specific skills to apply for entry-level positions in the electronics industry, and an opportunity to upgrade their English and math skills. At the same time WWCC provided supportive services to the women through individual counselling and group life skills sessions.

The program was in operation from 1985 to 1989 and was a good example of how community colleges and community based agencies can work together.

1989, WWCC was funded to conduct a research to identify areas of improvement in the program and as a result, it was recommended to upgrade the program to integrate computers, more language training and assertiveness. It was also found that students did not haven the opportunity to advance within their workplace due to above-mentioned aspects of higher levels of automation within the industry. WWCCrevised the curriculum of the program and implemented the changes.

The introduction to computers for immigrant women was developed to bridge the gap between lack of training programs for immigrant women due to their high entrance requirements and the lack of English as a Second Language support. Participants took one class of computer application at Dixon Hall and one class of ESL for computer literacy at WWCC each for a period of 14 weeks.

The program was an overwhelming success with each session fully booked and long waiting lists established. Each session brought a new group of immigrant women with varied backgrounds and career goals. For ten years the program was housed at Kent Public School and ran three times a year for a 12 week period. Each session successfully trained 20 immigrant women in computer literacy as well as job preparation. However, in 2003 the TDSB determined that space would no longer be available and classes ended. We continue to receive call for this program on a daily basis.

Modistas Unidas - Dressmakers' Co-operative 1980

The Modistas Unidas Workshop began as an informal collective of skilled but unemployed Portuguese dressmakers, all of whom were clients of the WWCC. All of the women had worked as sewing machine operators and, for a variety of reasons, were no longer able to cope with the oppressive working conditions common to most garment factories.

In the summer of 1980, with the support of WWCC, the group attempted to start their own custom dressmaking and alterations business. Community response was impressive but the dressmakers laced sufficient knowledge of English, business skills and working capital to make the venture viable.

Recognizing the potential for the dressmakers to generate their own income, WWCC initiated a campaign to raise funds for the necessary machines, working capital and additional skills training. In December of 1980, a Canada Community Development Project (CCDP) grant was approved. Under the sponsorship of WWCC, the Modistas Unidas Workshop opened on February 1981 with six dressmakers and a co-coordinator. The goal of the project was to establish a full-time permanent dressmaking and alterations co-operative within the year.

A business with a fast growing clientele and a reputation for high quality workmanship was established within the first month. English, business and sewing skills gradually improved through both formal and on-the-job training. Before long largely the dressmakers themselves handled the day-to-day running of the workshop.

It became apparent, however, that the workshop would not be financially self-sufficient within the year of the CCDP funding and, in fact, that income for custom dressmaking and alternations alone would not be sufficient to support the dressmakers and their workshop. As alternative activities had been identified and eventual self-sufficiency seemed promising, an application was made for longer term funding to LEAP- Local Employment Assistance Program. Funds for a prerequisite feasibility study of the workshop were approved. The study was conducted from February-May 1982 by a consultant with experience in the clothing production and retail industries, assisted by the Modistas Unidas Co-ordinator. CCDP funding had ended in January 1982 and the dressmakers began receiving Unemployment Insurance Benefits.

In-depth research and market studies led to final recommendations that the Modistas become manufactures of an exclusive line of women's clothing. A very talented designer, who was eager to join the workshop, had been found during the course of the study.

In May 1982, LEAP approved the recommendation for funding over a three-year period.

The first collection of clothing (Spring 83) was prepared during the summer months. Three of the dressmakers began working full-time. The collection was presented to buyers across Canada and New York City in September and October of that year. Response to the collection was extremely encouragingly positive. Buyers were impressed with both the unique designs and the fine quality sewing. In October the workshop moved to a larger location with full production commencing in November with the remaining members joining full time. The collective lasted 5 years. However, once the designer moved on to expand her career; the collective was unable to sustain its venture.

Training for Home Daycare Providers

From 1995 to 1997 WWCC ran four training sessions for women pursuing work as daycare providers. Over 400 women participated in the program. WWCC partnered with Canadian Mothercraft Society to provide the daycare training components.

The majority of women were successful in obtaining employment either as daycare assistants or establishing their own home daycare service programs.

Working Skills Centre and the South Asian Women's Centre

Working Women Community Centre has always viewed employment and training a key aspect of settlement and integration so in 1978 WWCC sponsored the creation of the Working Skills Centre. The mailroom on-the-job training program was implemented for Spanish and Portuguese immigrant women.

In 1984 WWCC introduced settlement services to the South Asian Community, which lead rise to the creation of the South Asian Women's Centre.

Today WWCC services all newcomer communities and has capacity in 12 languages.