International Women’s Day

When reflecting on the strength and resilience of women, we can think of no better example than the amazing women of WoodGreen’s Homeward Bound program. Launched by WoodGreen in 2004 and unique in Canada, Homeward Bound is an award-winning comprehensive four-year program that helps homeless or inadequately housed single mothers achieve lasting economic self-sufficiency. Providing wrap around, holistic support through housing, child care, counselling, access to a tuition-paid college education, career track internships and job search support, women have access to the stability and support they need to change their lives, and their children’s lives, forever.

WoodGreen received funding from the Local Poverty Reduction Fund to evaluate our flagship Homeward Bound program. The goal of this work was to build a body of evidence to understand what programs truly work for Ontarians living poverty. Today, on International Women’s Day we were excited to officially launch the incredible outcomes of this study. Joined by Minister Peter Milczyn, Ontario’s Minister of Housing and Minister Responsible for the Poverty Reduction Strategy, Ed Clark, former CEO of TD Bank & Homeward Bound graduates, we acknowledged the transformational success of Homeward Bound with a celebration at the TD Tower.

Brigette Chang-Addorisio announced a $1 million endowment gift made by the Raymond Chang Foundation to Homeward Bound at the event and WoodGreen is immensely grateful for this generous donation.

Every day, the women of Homeward Bound are Pressing for Progress, working to achieve financial independence for their families. Women who only a few years ago were homeless or precariously housed, are now the proud holders of college diplomas, starting new careers with family-sustaining salaries and breaking the cycle of poverty. Read the report highlights here.