W.A.G.E.S - Warriors Life Skill and Professional Development

WAGES, better known as WARRIORS is a life skills and professional development program for women (cis and trans) and gender-diverse people. The program aims to support individuals facing challenges related to gaps in their life skills and professional development or those whose personal and professional growth has been impacted by difficult circumstances.

Registration for JULY 2025: 

Step 1: Complete our online application form by following the link: https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=aS7aS7aAdEq_gV1a3zzlSaYaqmthtHFNt9YP75ArWH5UN1hCT0VRWDlRUDg0U0hESVhHTElPTU9BMC4u

Step 2: Once your application form has been received, candidates will be contacted to discuss application and details about the program/their eligibility

If you need assistance, please contact us (see below)

 

"Empowerment does not come from leaving these experiences behind. Empowerment comes from the understanding of the skills they have left in us, the experiences they have shaped in us, and re-purposing those pieces that have taken from us, to provide for us."
- Program Graduate
 

Training Includes:


Group and 1:1 learning:

Habit Setting

Time Management

Grounding & Mindfulness

Sleep hygiene

Community Safety

Budgeting

Job Search Info

Resumes & Cover Letters

Job Interview Prep

and More!

    Certifications:

    Smart Serve

    Safe Food Handling

    Standard First Aid & CPR-C

         

       

       

       

       

       

         

      Volunteer Experience: 

      Customer service and sales

      Cash handling & Square Point of Sale

      Donation receiving/sorting/cleaning

      Inventory

      Merchandising, pricing & tagging

      Product photography

      E-commerce and small business management

      Store health and safety tasks

         Eligibility:


        Identify as a cis/trans woman or gender diverse person

        15 years of age or older

        Able to commit to approximately 10 or more hours/week Tuesday - Thursday, all stats off

        Able to work and train with us in person 

        In accordance with funding requirements, priority in selection of applicants will be given to those living in the YW's emergency shelters or supportive housing locations.

        Those who are experiencing homelessness/are precariously housed, or living in any other KW emergency shelter or supportive housing will still be considered for program participation
           
          "Transferable skills help to bridge the gaps created by isolating life altering issues such as substance use, homelessness, and the issues of domestic violence and gender stigmatizations. The energies we have invested into these experiences can seem like lost investments, when in fact they become the platform for some of the most valuable and prevalent skill sets when considering the avenues of employment or education that come after these events in our lives."
          - Program Graduate
           

          Program Details:

          • Program Location: 102 King St. West, Kitchener 

          • Perks:

            • First Aid & CPR Certification, Smart Serve Certification, & Safe Food Handling Certification for those interested.

            • Participants who also participate in volunteer experience will have an addition to their resume.

            • Completion bonus.

            • Food provisions available at times when in the building.

           

          • Program Time: 

            • Weeks 1 - 2: Tuesdays & Thursdays - 2 hours

            • Weeks 3 - 4: Tuesdays, Wednesdays, & Thursdays - 2 hours

            • Weeks 5 - 16: Tuesdays, Wednesdays, & Thursdays - 3 hours

            • * Exact time of day may vary

          Registration for JULY 2025:

          Step 1: Complete our online application form by following the link: https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=aS7aS7aAdEq_gV1a3zzlSaYaqmthtHFNt9YP75ArWH5UN1hCT0VRWDlRUDg0U0hESVhHTElPTU9BMC4u

          Step 2: Once your application form has been received, candidates will be contacted to discuss application and details about the program/their eligibility

          If you need assistance, please contact us (see below)


            "This program was just what I needed to get back on track.  A way to stay out of bed daily doing nothing productive and wondering if it would ever change. I thought that I knew most of the topics from previous learning. What I didn’t know was how many things have changed over the years and that I didn’t know everything. I learned a lot and feel more confident to change my life." 
            - Program Graduate

             

            For questions or assistance, please contact:
            226 - 747 - 7980
            warriors@ywkw.ca
            Aella Rose, Program Coordinator, IHCS (WARRIORS)
            Guruman Kaur, Program Coordinator, IHCS (WARRIORS)

             
            "Showing up every day and doing what is put in front of you is the key to success. I believe change is possible for anyone no matter what condition you find yourself in. What I found is that nobody was judgmental. The instructors are here for you to help you in any way they can to see you succeed. I learned so much and feel my life is headed in a great direction. Show up daily and you won’t be disappointed." 
            - Program Graduate

             

            Funding Provided By:
            Women and Gender Equality Canada