Quick Escape
We’re almost there!
Construction on our new Putman Family YWCA on Ottawa Street is in the final stretch, and we are so excited to share the progress on this groundbreaking project.
The Putman Family YWCA is a one-of-a-kind facility that is Hamilton’s first affordable housing residence for women and their children. It includes 50 one-bedroom, two-bedroom, and three-bedroom units, 15 of which are reserved for women living with a developmental disability. Priority for all units was given to women from marginalized communities, who are Indigenous, who have experienced domestic violence and/or homelessness. We have worked in partnership with the Hamilton Regional Indian Centre (HRIC) and Ottawa Street neighbours, in prioritizing housing for Indigenous women.
The Putman Family YWCA will also house spaces designed for the community, including a Centre of Innovation, the Community Atrium, our Active Living 55+ Centre, a Youth Zone, the Community Courtyard and Garden, and an Events & Community Room.
We are excited to share that we have reached substantial completion for the building, which means that the major work has finished and we are able to begin to put the building to good use. Some final construction is ongoing, with a focus on landscaping, railings, and pavers, particularly on the sixth floor rooftop (you may see a crane helping complete this work!).
Crews are also focusing on finishing and outfitting spaces, including installing bike racks and fencing outdoors and furnishing indoor areas to ensure we’re ready to welcome the community when we open our doors to the public. Finally, our Putman Family YWCA exterior signage will be installed in mid-October.
Over the next few months, we will be phasing in move-in dates for the first families that will call the Putman Family YWCA Home. In order to ensure smooth and safe transitions for everyone, all move-ins will follow the proper Covid-19 protocols and precautions. A small number of families have started the move-in process, as we look forward to welcoming the remaining women and women-led families over the fall and winter.
Over the next few months, we will be sharing updates about the programming and services taking place at our new Putman Family YWCA. We were thrilled to be able to offer our first children’s summer camp in the building this summer, and our teams are working through program planning across several departments, including employment and training, housing, youth and seniors, and developmental services.
This Saturday, we invite you to visit us during the Ottawa Street Sidewalk Sale between 2:00 – 5:00 p.m. in front of the Putman Family YWCA. Stop by for a chat with a member of our team and learn more about the programs and services that will be offered when our doors officially open.
And, don’t forget to ‘Save the Date’ for our Community Day at Ottawa Street on November 4, 2021 from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. to chat with us, spin our wheel to win great prizes, and enjoy a warm drink!
Our volunteer and staff team are working hard to raise the remaining funds to complete this $24.6m build. We look forward to unveiling a bold fundraising campaign in March 2022 to engage our Hamilton community to help us finish the project and bring this campaign over the top.
We can’t wait to welcome you to the new Putman Family YWCA!
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