The YWCA of Saskatoon will be fulfilling two important community needs this Thursday.

The organization is hosting its largest fundraiser of the year, the Women of Distinction Awards Banquet. This event both recognizes women in the community for the work they do to improve the world around them, as well as supports all of the YWCA’s initiatives for the remainer of the year.

Carla Huntington, Vice President of Development and Engagement with the YWCA, says the Women of Distinction Awards Banquet honours women who have made the word around them better, whether it be through healthcare, education, the trades, business, STEM, or wellness.

“Every single woman has something to offer, so there are really no criteria. Every woman is doing something amazing. It’s a matter of us as women learning that we are doing amazing work out there, that we do deserve the recognition.”

She says the fundraising goal is $150,000 for this event, all of which will support the crisis shelter, child development centre, fitness programs, and employment and learning programs. Huntington adds that they’ve had to turn away thousands of women in past years, as the demand on these services was simply too high. She says the need in our city for housing and homelessness supports is shocking and real.

“For a woman and a child to have a home, a safe space to feel hope, to be able to have a warm meal and feel like there is a better tomorrow, that’s what the YWCA aims to do for the women and children in this city, and we’re so thankful that we are able to do that through the funds raised through this fundraiser.”

Tickets for the My 22nd event are available at TCU Tickets.ca.