How We Help
WINS operates three programs in Calgary:
Each program works step-by-step, helping women to help themselves and support their families.
Free Goods Referral
Through the Free Goods Referral program women coming out of crisis situations and women in transition gain access to basic needs items such as clothing, household goods, and furniture.
Women are referred to WINS for this service through over 60 community agencies. After consultation, WINS provides a voucher that entitles the client to purchase these goods from any one of the five WINS Thrift Stores.
Family Resource Centres
WINS operates three part-time Family Resource Centres (FRCs) which are located in subsidized housing complexes. Through these FRCs, women gain access to resources in their local community.
The FRCs provide education and training in a wide variety of life and family skills, such as parenting, literacy, ESL, and basic computer skills. Helping women to build these skills is a key step in moving toward self-sufficiency.
We work not only with women, but their children as well. Through our Stepping Stones program, young children learn the basic skills needed to successfully enter elementary school.
Our Girl Talk and Boy Talk programs bring pre-teen children together to talk about topics important to them in a positive, respectful environment.
Thrift Stores
WINS operates five thrift stores throughout Calgary.
The Thrift stores perform three key functions for the organization.
Today, WINS employs 40 entry level staff in the Thrift Stores and Sorting Facility.
- Free Goods Referral Program
- Family Resource Centres
- WINS Thrift Stores
Each program works step-by-step, helping women to help themselves and support their families.
Free Goods Referral
Through the Free Goods Referral program women coming out of crisis situations and women in transition gain access to basic needs items such as clothing, household goods, and furniture.
Women are referred to WINS for this service through over 60 community agencies. After consultation, WINS provides a voucher that entitles the client to purchase these goods from any one of the five WINS Thrift Stores.
Family Resource Centres
WINS operates three part-time Family Resource Centres (FRCs) which are located in subsidized housing complexes. Through these FRCs, women gain access to resources in their local community.
The FRCs provide education and training in a wide variety of life and family skills, such as parenting, literacy, ESL, and basic computer skills. Helping women to build these skills is a key step in moving toward self-sufficiency.
We work not only with women, but their children as well. Through our Stepping Stones program, young children learn the basic skills needed to successfully enter elementary school.
Our Girl Talk and Boy Talk programs bring pre-teen children together to talk about topics important to them in a positive, respectful environment.
Thrift Stores
WINS operates five thrift stores throughout Calgary.
The Thrift stores perform three key functions for the organization.
- They provide entry level employment opportunities for people with little or no employment skills.
- They sell donated clothing, household goods and furniture at affordable prices to those living in poverty.
- They are profitable enough that they generate enough revenue to partially support WINS community programs.
Today, WINS employs 40 entry level staff in the Thrift Stores and Sorting Facility.
