The Howe Sound Women's Centre (HSWC) is getting a new name and expanded focus.
The organization announced Monday that the new moniker will be unveiled on Sept. 27 after its AGM.
The rebranding reflects that the centre and organization welcomes more folks than its current name suggests.
It is "inclusive of all Two-Spirit, trans, non-binary, and gender diverse individuals impacted by gender-based violence," the news release states.
"Over the past four years, the organization has been doing intentional work to align our values of feminism, anti-oppression and intersectionality, and de-colonization into all aspects of our work, internally and externally," said Ashley Oakes, executive director of the HSWC in the release.
"This work to align has seen explicit new and emerging commitments to Two-Spirit, Trans and Gender Diverse communities and a deepening renewal and revival to the organization's commitment to Indigenous communities and people of colour."
The organization's work to rebrand began in the early fall of 2021.
"From the very beginning, a Rebrand Committee was formed to help retain feminist communication and design. Brand experts were brought in to [collaborate] and helped guide a deeply reflective and strategic process of choosing a new name," the release states.
The process also included a Gender-Diverse Inclusion Committee, which assisted in examining the needs of the 2SLGBTQQIA+ community.
Everyone is invited to the celebration of the new name and brand. There will be light snacks and refreshments at the event.
The HSWC AGM will be held at the Squamish Drop-In Centre at 38021 3rd Ave., from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m, followed by the brand launch at 6 p.m.
(Membership is required to vote at the AGM.)
For more information on the centre and the programs HSWC offers, visit its website.
