Bridging the gap: Women Focus Canada looks to grow Caledon partnership

February 19, 2026 · 0 Comments

By Riley Murphy

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Women Focus Canada, a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering women and girls through resources, advocacy and community support, is looking to grow into the Caledon community, and they’re starting with their Youth Civic Engagement Program (YCEP).

Dr. Oluremi (Remi) Adewale founded Women Focus Canada in January 2018.

Adewale is a health care provider in Canada with over 24 years of experience, and she says that supporting grassroots is a passion for her.

“I noticed that many women and young people have the passion and the talents and ideas to lead and thrive, but they’re lacking access to the system, access to the right networking, access to opportunity, and decision-making spaces,” says Adewale. “What started as grassroots many years ago, supporting work has really evolved into a structured organization, focused on empowerment.”

Since then, they have led numerous empowerment, economic development, leadership development, and civic engagement programs.

In 2022, they began YCEP, a structured civic engagement program that Adewale says has now been scaled up across different communities.

The YCEP is described as a “leadership launchpad” where Women Focus Canada invites youth in the community to explore how they can make change in their own communities.

“It’s encouraging, knowing that we have a platform for women, for youth, for individuals, for community members, to come and to learn and to network and to have mentorship opportunities,” she says.

Statistically, Adewale says that young women are less interested in civic-related work, and they see a gap in civic education and access for youth.

“From the testimonials that we have received and heard, we know that it has helped youth to build confidence, to understand a governor’s system, and see themselves as capable contributors to public life,” says Adewale. “Youth have moved from feeling excluded from civic spaces to feeling involved, welcome, and empowered to engage.”

For Adewale, she knew she wanted to bring their programs to local communities.

“We know that change happens locally,” she says.

Adding that residents often feel disconnected from the processes of deciding on opportunities and services for municipalities.

“They’re not sure of the right space, they’re not invited to sit at the table,” says Adewale.

“Bringing Women Focus Canada into local communities like Brampton, like Caledon, allows us to meet people where they’re at, and allow us to build on trust, and to equip them with the tools to engage meaningfully in leadership, economic opportunity, and civic life.”

In 2023, Women Focus Canada held youth civic engagement across the GTA, but last year, they decided to focus more on certain regions.

And so, they invited youth from Brampton, Mississauga, and Caledon to their engagement programs.

Mayor Annette Groves spoke at one of these panels, engaging local youth.

“The Town of Caledon recognizes that young people are not just the future leaders. They are present contributors,” says Adewale.

“Our conversation really aligned around creating real safe access for youth to see how local government works and to feel welcome into those spaces. That alignment made this partnership a very natural fit, you know, for us as the organizer, for the youth that we support, and we’re happy to have this opportunity.”

Earlier in February, Women Focus Canada held their YCEP 2026, with a theme of turning passion into public impact, in partnership with Caledon at the Caledon East Community Complex, with Groves as the keynote speaker.

During their event on the 3rd, Women Focus Canada held a fireside chat and panel discussion, where youth could hear real stories and strategies from community leaders.

They were also invited to attend a Caledon Council meeting, where they could see firsthand how decisions are made across the municipality.

“We believe that rather than just talking about civic engagement, we can do a lot of theoretical knowledge, sharing information. But, we also want to allow the youth themselves to experience it for some, seeing how decisions are made and how their voices do matter,” she says.

At Council, Adewale also gave a presentation demonstrating how they plan to provide a platform for youth, not only in Caledon but across Canada.

For those in Caledon looking to get involved, Adewale says they encourage youth to stay involved in their YCEP programs, participate in civic forums, volunteer in their different communities, engage with their political leaders, and take advantage of local decision-making opportunities.

“Civic engagement doesn’t start with holding office, it starts with showing up, asking questions and understanding how your community works,” she says. “We want the youth to bring ideas, to sit at the table, to be involved, to ask questions, to lead, to be innovative in their ideas, to go to their community leaders, civic leaders, you know, political leaders, and bring innovative ideas to them.”

Women Focus Canada is looking to expand its presence in the Caledon community by collaborating with various organizations and groups.

“There’s a lot more that needs to be done, and we cannot do this alone. We really want to collaborate,” says Adewale, adding that Women Focus Canada is looking for like-minded groups in communities to connect.

Adewale says they look forward to furthering these partnerships with Caledon groups to better serve and support the community, “it’s important to us.”