PROGRAMS

The Women’s Centre endeavours to provide support to all women regardless of age, cultural or socio economic background. We offer a great variety of programs in two different locations; Pointe-Claire and Pierrefonds-West.

Affordable Courses

Affordable Courses- Health and Mind

Affordable courses for women offer numerous benefits that foster personal growth, skill development, empowerment, and overall well-being. Our goal is to enhance women’s quality of life by promoting personal growth, community building, health and wellness, access to support and resources, social and emotional support, autonomy, and empowerment.

The West Island Women’s Centre focuses in 4 areas of development for women:

Fitness- These courses are tailored specifically for women to promote numerous benefits that address both physical and mental well-being.

Personal and Professional Development– These courses focus on building a woman’s personal skill set and supporting a woman’s growth.

Arts and Culture– These courses are specifically designed for women to offer a unique opportunity to explore creativity, express oneself, and delve into various cultural aspects.

Parent and Child- These courses focus on solidifying the bond with parent and child through active and creative activities.

Our funders allow us offer these classes at affordable cost, and additionally, we are able to provide free childcare while mothers participate in their activity.

Women facing financial challenges can participate in classes free of charge with a referral from a social worker or another community organization. Please contact the office for more information. All request will be handled confidentially.

Free Community Initiatives Programs

Impact of Our Community Initiatives Program:

• Create Safe Spaces: Facilitate environments where individuals can share their experiences and concerns openly.
• Break Isolation: Address and reduce feelings of isolation, particularly during times when women feel most vulnerable.
• Develop Social Connections: Foster the creation of supportive networks to mitigate social risks and enhance community support.
• Offer Just-in-Time Support: Provide timely assistance based on concerns raised by participants.
• Equip with Tools and Strategies: Supply practical resources and strategies to help individuals navigate life challenges.
• Enhance Quality of Life: Improve both physical and emotional well-being through targeted support and interventions.

Support Groups

The Women’s Centre’s support groups offer women the psychological and emotional support they need to take up a new challenge, handle a problem, or further develop as individuals. Participants share their experience, support each other, and receive information and advice.

Playgroups

Since October 2005, we have been offering Time for Two, an arts and crafts program for young families in the CLSC Lac St. Louis territory.

The purpose of this mother and child playgroup is to provide an enriching, stimulating and healthy environment where parents can bond with their child and socialize with other families. The goal is to help break isolation and encourage connection with their child but support the creation of a support network of other parents. Held in two locations (Pierrefonds and Pointe-Claire), the Time for Two playgroups promote early educational development by learning through play, arts and crafts, sensory stimulation activities, fine motor activities, physical activity and songs and music.

We now also have a duplicate program, Temps pour Deux, offered in the Pierrefonds/Sainte-Genevieve area.

55 Up! Women’s Group

Geared towards our senior members the format for this group is social and conversational. Coffee, cake and an opportunity to chat all serve to break isolation. We also have facilitators leading crafts, or presenting on a topic of interest. Once per month we gather in the kitchen and make a meal which is donated to a local food security organization such as the West Island Mission.

New Connections

Located primarily in the north part of the West Island, this program serves women who have recently arrived in Canada and settled in our community. In addition, this free program is available for women who are experiencing employment insecurity and are looking for professional development opportunities. Topics include French and English conversation, joining the Quebec workforce, and learning about community services.

In collaboration with the West Island Community Resource Centre (CRC), the Centre has launched a new pilot project aimed at enhancing the quality of life for Women Centre members and extending support to vulnerable women in the community. Through this partnership, the CRC and the WIWC offer personalized assistance to help members and local women find valuable information and resources when needed. Participants will have the chance to learn about available resources within the community sector, including a network of over 70 community organizations in the West Island and beyond. To connect with our support agent, please email: support@wiwc.ca.