At a time when it seems most people move from job to job, organization to organization every three to five years; it’s noteworthy when a staff member, who has dedicated 11 years to challenging work in support of vulnerable women retires.

On Thursday July 31, 2014, Ermine celebrated her last day as supervisor with the YWCA of Calgary’s transitional housing program, YWCA Mary Dover House. Mary Dover House supported more than 400 women and 25 children in 2013.The program, and the organization looked very different when she arrived here in 2003.

“You’ve heard of a shoe-string budget? When I started we were operating on a piece of thread budget.” Ermine jokes of her early days at the YWCA. “We had very few women in the house at the time, six emergency beds and a mostly empty hostel. The focus for women’s shelters at the time was domestic violence related, not homelessness.”

Ermine dove in and began investigating options for funding related to women who were vulnerable due to poverty and homelessness. “(At the time) there was nothing in the city for homeless women. It was a great opportunity for the YWCA.”

Work began slowly to build a transitional housing program for women experiencing homelessness. The program would provide women with a roof over their heads, as well as the case management and trauma support they needed to begin to rebuild their lives.

When asked what stands out for her over the past 11 years, Ermine talks, with great warmth and emotion, about the thousands of women who came through the program and were helped to thrive; the young staff she was able to work with, teach, grow and empower; the relationships she has built; and the changes in the organization that leave her feeling confident about the future of the YWCA.

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Ermine Cummings

“The word of the day was ‘integration’ and the YWCA has worked hard, particularly over the past two years, to develop that. I am so proud to see how far we’ve come. We’re coming together, encouraging collaborative work, building a business plan and strategy that looks well into the future, and continuing to offer vulnerable women the supports they need.”

From the early days,  when establishing the transitional housing program meant ensuring the “hideous green carpet” went away and stoves were available for women to cook meals, Ermine is proud of where the program is, a decade later. She is now looking forward to some quiet time; “I’m going to do NOTHING for at least six months! Then I’ll see where I can help some more.”

Ermine’s positive energy and brilliant smile will be greatly missed at the YWCA, by staff and clients alike. Her legacy continues, and the YWCA will carry that into future plans for our organization which is continually evolving to meet the needs of women. Thank you Ermine for your care; your infectious laughter; your dedication; and your expertise.