DONATEEMPOWERING CARE PROGRAM
The Empowering Care Program (ECP) offers short-term, practical support to women*, trans, non-binary, gender-expansive, genderqueer, and other gender-diverse community members navigating urgent basic needs and systemic barriers related to gender-based violence, poverty, systemic racism, housing instability, caregiving responsibilities, disability, health barriers, immigration or newcomer barriers, and other forms of exclusion.
ECP supports are reviewed case by case and may vary each quarter based on eligibility, priority needs, previous ECP access, available resources, funding, inventory, donations, partnerships, and program capacity. Submitting an application does not guarantee support.
Anyone interested in this program should begin through GTBG’s intake/inquiry process. From there, the team can help determine whether the Empowering Care program, menstrual support, or another pathway may be most appropriate.
ECP can only consider requests related to the support areas listed on this page.
Read the Empowering Care Program Policy.
To learn more about our programs, visit the General Helpful Information section.
The Empowering Care Program is a short-term practical support program that helps reduce immediate barriers to basic needs for women and gender-diverse people from GTBG’s priority communities.
Supports may include groceries, gift cards for essential items, menstrual and hygiene products, transportation support, telecommunication support, household essentials, care packages, referrals, and connections to other GTBG programs where appropriate.
ECP is rooted in trauma-informed, anti-oppressive, gender justice and community-centred care. The program aims to provide short-term, practical support for eligible women and gender-diverse people who are facing barriers to basic essentials, safety, and stability.
We believe community members are the experts in their own lives. We honour this by reducing unjust barriers, offering support with care and respect, and recognizing that access to basic needs is connected to broader issues of gender equity, poverty, racism, disability justice, migration, caregiving, and systemic exclusion.
Priority is given to women and gender-diverse people from GOOD TO BE GOOD’s priority communities, including Black, Indigenous, racialized, Two-Spirit, trans, non-binary, gender-expansive, newcomer, refugee, low-income, and disabled community members navigating gender-based violence, housing instability, poverty, limited access to healthcare, or other systemic barriers.
How To Connect
To begin, please complete GTBG’s Request Support Form through our Intake Process. From there, our team can help determine whether ECP, menstrual support, Peer Support Services, or another pathway may be most appropriate, and share the relevant application form where applicable.
Please note:
- ECP operates with limited resources and capacity. Applications are reviewed case by case based on eligibility, priority needs, previous ECP access, available resources, and program capacity.
- ECP is generally intended as a one-time support program. Repeat requests may be reviewed case-by-case and are not guaranteed.
- Submitting an application does not guarantee support, and some applications may be held for future review if additional resources become available.
- ECP is not an ongoing case management, counselling, crisis intervention, or long-term advocacy program. Please view our other programs and services.
- Unfortunately, ECP is no longer an emergency financial assistance program and does not provide direct cash transfers or unrestricted financial assistance.
We encourage you to visit our Resources webpage for additional support options. ECP operates with limited resources and capacity, and we continue to seek support so the program can reach more community members over time.
Contact:
Email: [email protected]
To view the program policy, click here.
MENSTRUAL PRODUCTS PROGRAM
Through the Empowering Care Program, GOOD TO BE GOOD provides access to free menstrual products for community members in our priority communities who face barriers to accessing menstrual care.
This support may include disposable, reusable, and sustainable menstrual products where available. The program is intended to help reduce barriers to health, dignity, mobility, comfort, and everyday participation.
Menstrual support follows a separate, simplified request process and does not always require completion of the full ECP application. Community members interested in menstrual products can begin through GTBG’s Intake Process, where the team can provide information about the appropriate request process.
Who this program is for
Priority is given to:
- Black, Indigenous, racialized, Two-Spirit, trans, non-binary, gender-expansive, and other gender-diverse community members who menstruate;
- low-income community members who are 18 years or older;
- parents, guardians, or caregivers requesting menstrual products on behalf of a child or young person who menstruates;
- community members residing in Canada.
This support is offered through a needs-based, low-barrier approach without unnecessary administration or policing of bodies and needs. Requests are fulfilled based on available inventory, donations, and program capacity.
To connect about this program, visit our Intake Process.
