Gender Justice Organizations
Sexual Assault Support Centre of Waterloo Region
Feminist Shift is an advocacy capacity building collaborative between YW Kitchener-Waterloo and YWCA Cambridge. Together, with partnerships in the community, Feminist Shift takes on gender-based violence in Waterloo Region and work to improve the lives women and gender-diverse people, by engaging in thoughtful conversations, challenging engrained local issues with other feminist organizations, hosting knowledge sharing and training opportunities and through pointed and strategic advocacy projects.
The Ontario Coalition of Rape Crisis Centres (OCRCC)
A collective of organizations dedicated to supporting survivors of sexual assault and promoting prevention education. Through their programs and services, OCRCC provides counseling, advocacy, and resources to survivors and works to create a culture that rejects sexual violence. The Ontario Coalition of Rape Crisis Centres plays a crucial role in advancing gender justice by addressing the systemic issues surrounding sexual violence and advocating for the rights and healing of survivors.
Women's Crisis Services of Waterloo Region
Support women and their children who have experienced domestic violence or abuse. Provides emergency shelter, counseling, legal advocacy, and outreach programs.
Carizon Family and Community Services
Carizon offers a range of counseling and support services for individuals and families, including those affected by domestic violence and gender-related issues.
They offer various programs and services, including counseling, support groups, and workshops, which address a range of issues, including gender-related concerns.
Delton Glebe Counselling Centre
Non-profit counselling centre. The facility is owned by Lutheran Church, is part of Wilfrid Laurier University, and has contact with the University of Waterloo. Services include Individual Adult Therapy, Couple and/or Marriage Therapy, Family Therapy, Individual Adolescent Therapy, Child and Play Therapy, Group Work and Pet Assisted Activities.
Dedicated to promoting and supporting the rights and well-being of the LGBTQ+ community in the Tri-Cities area. They organize events, educational initiatives, and community outreach.
Waterloo Region Rainbow Coalition
Is committed to advocating for LGBTQ+ rights, inclusivity, and equity in the Waterloo region. They work on various initiatives and events to foster a safe and inclusive community.
Supports LGBTQ+ youth and their families through counseling, education, and social support.
Rainbow Support Group at The Family Centre
This support group provides a safe space for LGBTQ+ individuals and allies to connect, share experiences, and receive support.
This organization provides public speaking and leadership training specifically for LGBTQ+ individuals, including opportunities to share personal stories and advocate for gender justice.
Rainbow Reels Queer and Trans Film Festival
This annual film festival showcases queer and trans films, promoting LGBTQ+ representation and fostering discussions on gender justice.
Rooted in liberation and social justice, trans rights, racial rights, critical disability and queer theory, as well as evidence-based frameworks, Out of the Box Counselling works with brave people who want to do things differently, by providing trauma informed counselling and support.
The Glow Centre for Sexual and Gender Diversity
An organization in the Kitchener-Waterloo region that supports and advocates for the LGBTQ+ community. They provide a safe space, educational programs, support groups, and resources for LGBTQ+ individuals and allies.
Zonta Club of Kitchener-Waterloo
Gender Equality
An international organization advocating for gender equality. The Kitchener-Waterloo chapter focuses on empowering women through service and advocacy.
Women and Girls
Canada’s public foundation for gender justice and equality, advancing this by growing support for grassroots feminist action, partnering with communities and organizations to improve conditions, and building diverse leadership and knowledge for sustainable change.
Waterloo Region Crime Prevention Council
Gender Equality
The council focuses on crime prevention, community safety, and social well-being. While not solely focused on gender justice, they collaborate with various organizations to address issues related to gender-based violence and equality.
Women
This group organizes events and initiatives to raise awareness about women's rights and gender justice.
The Social Development Centre Waterloo Region
Social Justice
They work to promote social justice and equity in the community through research, advocacy, and community engagement.
Women's Employment Resource Centre (WERC)
Women
WERC offers employment support and resources specifically tailored to women, including job search assistance, workshops, and networking opportunities.
Extend-A-Family Waterloo Region
Special Needs
Promote inclusion and advocate for individuals with disabilities and their families.
The Kitchener-Waterloo Multicultural Centre
Newcomers
They support newcomers and promote multiculturalism, diversity, and inclusion in the community.
The Working Women Community Centre
Immigrant Women
While based in Toronto, this organization has resources and programs that support immigrant women and advocate for gender justice which may be applicable to the KW region.
Waterloo Region District School Board - Equity and Inclusion
Students
The Equity and Inclusion Department of the school board works towards creating inclusive and equitable learning environments for students, with a focus on gender justice and other social justice issues.
The Waterloo Region District School Board - Safe Schools
Students
The Safe Schools department focuses on creating safe, inclusive, and gender-just learning environments, addressing issues such as gender-based violence and discrimination.
Youth and Families
Family and Children's Services of the Waterloo Region
Family
While their primary focus is child welfare and family support, they provide services that address issues related to gender justice, including counseling, support programs, and resources for families in need.
Indigenous Community
An organization that focuses on providing support and resources to the Indigenous community in the Kitchener-Waterloo region through programs and initiatives that aim to promote cultural awareness, education, and empowerment. Anishnabeg Outreach plays a crucial role in advancing gender justice and equality within the Indigenous community and fostering a stronger sense of cultural identity and well-being.
Community Justice
Applies restorative justice approach to communities affected by conflict and/or crime such as sexual trauma, issues of child protection etc.
Marginalized Communities
Provides a wide range of services, including support for marginalized individuals and communities. They offer employment assistance, access to affordable housing, and resources for social justice issues.
Supportive Housing of Waterloo
Housing
Supportive Housing of Waterloo contributes to gender justice by addressing housing inequality and providing a foundation for individuals to thrive and achieve greater stability and well-being in their lives.
Housing
Housing for people with limited mobility to enhance dignity through accessible homes that are appropriate and affordable.
Children
An organization dedicated to supporting and advocating for children and youth who have witnessed or experienced abuse or trauma. They provide specialized services, such as counseling, court preparation, and community education, to help young witnesses navigate the legal system and heal from their experiences. The Child Witness Centre plays a vital role in promoting the well-being, safety, and rights of child witnesses while working towards gender justice and ensuring their voices are heard.
Children
Support group/network for children of trans/non-binary parents or caregivers that need support. COLAGE unites people with one or more lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and/or asexual parent or caregiver into a network of peers and supports them as they nurture and empower each other to be skilled, self-confident, and just leaders in our collective communities.
Children
The YWCA has programs dedicated to empowering young girls and promoting gender equality from a young age.
Muslim Social Services of Kitchener-Waterloo
Muslims
This organization provides culturally sensitive support and resources for Muslim individuals and families, including programs promoting gender justice within the Muslim community.
Coalition of Muslim Women of KW
Muslims
Group of racialized Muslim women that have been standing up to hate, discrimination, Islamophobia, and gender-based violence.
Sexual Health
Focuses on sexual health, reproductive rights, and education. They provide a range of services including sexual health clinics, contraception and pregnancy options counseling, education programs, and support for individuals facing unplanned pregnancies. The SHORE Centre plays a significant role in promoting gender justice by advocating for reproductive rights, providing access to comprehensive sexual health care, and empowering individuals to make informed choices about their bodies and lives.