Our History
Read about our rich history of helping immigrant women succeed
- WWCC created to focus on advocacy, counselling, settlement supports and job-training for Portuguese, Spanish and Caribbean women
- WWCC launches Working Skills Centre (WSC) to offer job skills training programs
- In partnership with Toronto District School Board (TDSB), WWCC introduces Mental Health Group which incorporates ESL classes as an integral part of its program.
- WWCC expands to women’s support services and social enterprise.
- Receives funding from the Federal government’s LINC (Language Instruction for Newcomers of Canada) program to provide ESL classes.
- Adds settlement services, women’s support groups, LINC classes that offer child-minding, and training for live-in care-givers.
- Leads the International Women’s Day march and holds celebratory activities to bring awareness to women’s rights.
- Creates “Modistas Unidas” (United Dressmakers Collective) engages dress-maker clients and works with them to create their own self-sustaining business.
- Actively involved in Immigrant Shelter Advisory Task Force.
- Partners with CHUM/City Christmas Wish Foundation to provide much needed toys for newcomer children.
- In partnership with Humber College the Immigration Women into Electronics training program is created.
- Participates in the Charter Challenge, language training, Employment Standards review and Domestic Violence Education campaigns.
- Supports the creation and development of the South Asian Women’s Centre
- WWCC develops training programs for civic leadership/involvement, building maintenance, and child-care.
- Expands settlement services to the African community and establishes a presence in the Jane and Finch area.
- WWCC celebrates its 20th anniversary.
- Organizes and hosts the Immigration Women’s Conference.
- WWCC presents at Women Talk Ambassadors2000 Forum.
- Partnered with Carpenters Union to provide skills-training initiative that focuses on increasing access to the trades and apprentice programs for women.
- Initiates signature core programming that includes HIPPY (Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youngsters), On Your Mark tutoring/mentoring program, Action for Neighbourhood Change (ANC) project, Oriole Community Garden and community engagement.
- The Fairview location opens to serve clients in the Don Mills-Sheppard and surrounding areas based on a holistic approach. The new space becomes a North York service hub that provides multi-cultural settlement services, LINC classes, and access to community development activities.
- The Jane and Finch location on Seneca College’s campus opens.
- Services offered in over 20 languages across four locations
- Victoria Park Hub is established through United Way to offer a “multi agency services hub” for the underserved Victoria Village community in 2010.
- Innovative Programming: Career Pathways for Women in partnership with Seneca College and Status of Women. FLOCK Project to support women entrepreneurs in 2016. Food Security programming to provide food supports to the newcomer community in 2016. Community-based arts programming
- Part of the airport response team receiving Syrian refugees to Canada.
- Parent Ambassador program launched to support Latin X parent engagement
Recognition and Awards
2019 Honourary Doctorate of Laws, York University
Awarded to Marcie Ponte, Executive Director
2018 YWCA Woman of Distinction Award
Awarded to Marcie Ponte, Executive Director, in recognition of outstanding contributions to the advancement of women and girls in Toronto
2013 Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Award
Working Women’s Executive Director, Marcie Ponte, receives the honour of the Queen’s Jubilee Award for her near three decades of service to Working Women Community Service and the advancement of women’s causes throughout Toronto.
2008 Soroptimist International of Toronto Award
WWCC is recognized for outstanding work to improve the lives of women in Toronto
2007 Federation of Portuguese Canadian Business and Professionals
WWCC is recognized for outstanding professional achievement for promoting the goals and aspirations of Portuguese people in Toronto
2006 Access Equity & Human Rights Award – City of Toronto
WWCC is recognized for its work with immigrant women in Toronto
2004 Women in Cities International Award
WWCC is recognized for its work in violence prevention work through our work in Freedom from Violence through Education
