Community & Outreach

While the women in CFUW Markham Unionville have many opportunities for fun and friendship, we sometimes ask –

What are we doing in our community and elsewhere to support education of girls and women and what are we doing to promote human rights and social justice locally and nationally?

The answer is that we are involved in several initiatives.

1. In cooperation with public schools and the Markham Public Library, we run the annual Battle of the Books. Through this event, we encourage reading among children in grade school.
2. Each member in our club donates $20 toward our Education Fund. To build the fund further,  the club runs raffles at our Christmas party and year end banquet, holds monthly book sales and hosts events where, for a modest entrance fee, the public can join us to hear dynamic speakers.
3. Education Fund monies are used to sponsor young persons in Canada and Guatemala, supporting their continued education through established local agencies.
4. Through the Issues and Advocacy Committee, we help to shape policies and Resolutions formulated by our national organization, The Canadian Federation of University Women.  This umbrella organization advocates on the basis of resolutions which are vetted and voted on by over 100 clubs like ours across Canada. We also take action on issues concerning the environment, health, equality and social justice.