Our Vision
Equality in a world free of oppression.
Our Mission
The West Kootenay Women’s Association promotes the equality and empowerment of all women, gender diverse individuals, and their children through advocacy, education and the provision of services and supports that meet their needs.
Our Purposes
As a registered charity, we comply with the purposes stated in the WKWA Constitution:
- To promote and advocate for equitable treatment of all women and gender diverse individuals, in the belief that they have the right to control their social, economic and physical circumstances, including freedom from violence and all forms of discrimination.
- To welcome and collaborate with women and gender diverse individuals of every race, class, sexual orientation, physical or mental ability, age and spiritual or political belief.
- To establish resources and to supply services of a charitable and educational nature to those who use the Women’s Centre.
- To cooperate with other organizations that have objectives similar to the objectives as the West Kootenay Women’s Association.
- To operate as a non-profit organization to administer and employ its property, assets and rights for the purpose of promoting or aiding in the promotion of the welfare of all women and gender diverse individuals.
- To receive, acquire and hold gifts,including donations, legacies and devices, to support the work of the Nelson & District Women’s Centre.
Our Values
- Inclusivity-focused: Committed to embracing diversity in all our efforts.
- Intersectional Feminism: Empowering every marginalized voice.
- Equality: Advocating for equal status, rights, and opportunities for all.
- Equity-Led and Partnered: Modeling fairness in every partnership.
- Consensus-Based: Decisions made through shared agreement.
- Passionate: Driven by WKWA vision, mission, and purposes.
- Resilient: Commitment to unity in our evolving organization.
- Accountability: Upholding WKWA principles with integrity, while dismantling colonial structures within our organization.
- Bridge Builders: Strengthening relationships with West Kootenay communities.
- Compassion: Practicing empathy and compassion.
- Respect: Honouring each individual’s dignity.
- Kindness: Fostering a caring community.
- Connection: Building authentic bonds within and beyond WKWA.
- Safety: Intentionally creating secure and supportive programming.
- Accommodating: Meeting unique needs with flexibility.
- Welcoming Spaces: Creating warm, open, and inviting spaces.
- Unique Programming: Dedicated to women, gender-diverse individuals, and their children.
- Accessible Resources: Providing relevant and essential support.
Our Guiding Principles
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- intersectional feminist organization
- Supports reproductive rights of women and people with uterus’s to make their own decisions about their bodies
- Supports self-empowerment
- Respects the rights and privacy of program participants, staff, volunteers, and, members
- Welcomes all women and gender diverse individuals
- Endorses the principle of zero tolerance for gender-based violence or oppression of any kind
- Acts in an environmentally conscious manner
“After a very difficult period of time in my life, the Nelson Women’s Centre became my doorway to re-engaging in the community. It is an understanding and supportive environment that allowed me to regain my confidence and trust in what I have to offer the world.” – Anonymous Service User 2022