Niagara Association of REALTORS® Lends a Hand at YWCA Niagara Region for their First REALTORS Care® Day
On September 9, 2025, members of the Niagara Association of REALTORS® (NAR) came together for their first REALTORS Care® Day, dedicating their time to supporting the YWCA Niagara Region. The day highlighted NAR’s commitment to giving back, bringing members together outside of their professional roles to directly support vulnerable members of the community.
13 REALTOR® volunteers contributed 39 hours to a variety of duties at the YWCA Culp Street location in Niagara Falls, helping to create safer, more welcoming spaces for women and families in need. Volunteers rolled up their sleeves outdoors, taking on tasks such as landscaping, pruning and weeding to improve and brighten the spaces around the YWCA location. Inside, REALTORS® also wrote birthday cards and messages of hope to help lift the spirits of YWCA guests. Many of these cards were earmarked for children staying at the shelter.
“I know that today’s activities will go a long way in helping to bring some visibility to the organization and the need that we have in our community for such shelter-based organizations and assistance programs, and I know that it’s also bringing our REALTORS® together,” said Lisa Taylor, Chair of the Niagara Association of REALTORS®.
The YWCA Niagara Region plays a critical role in addressing homelessness, poverty, and barriers to safe, stable housing across the Niagara region. In 2024 alone, the organization provided emergency shelter to hundreds of women, families, and gender-diverse individuals, while also offering transitional housing programs, skills development workshops, and advocacy to tackle the systemic inequities that contribute to housing and food insecurity. REALTORS®’ hands-on support during this REALTORS Care® Day helped advance their mission, ensuring clients feel the dignity, stability, and sense of belonging that safe housing brings.
“Doing the yard work, this is a challenge for us to keep up with, it’s part of what we call providing ‘dignified spaces’, so that women feel confident and comfortable here, and that it becomes, in a sense, a healing environment,” said Elizabeth Zimmerman, Executive Director of the YWCA Niagara. “So this work that’s happening today is a really important part of ensuring that we are providing that kind of environment for the women coming into the program.”
Reflecting on the day’s volunteer efforts, Taylor emphasized the importance of REALTORS® supporting dignity and pride in housing: “As REALTORS® we know that it’s important for everyone to have pride in the place where they live, so if we can make them feel even better when they’re coming home to this as their home right now, then that’s our goal.”
Beyond their hands-on efforts, REALTORS® also contributed through fundraising, helping provide additional resources to support YWCA programs and services. The following day, the association hosted the “REALTORS Care® Challenge Day”, where members came together for team games, a 50/50 draw, and a raffle, raising over $3,000 to further strengthen the YWCA’s programs.
The Niagara Association of REALTORS®’ support of YWCA Niagara Region is one example of how REALTORS® are making a difference in their community. In 2025, NAR also tripled its member donation program, increasing individual member contributions from $1 to $3 per month. These donations are made through the Ontario REALTORS Care® Foundation, and will go on to fund local Niagara shelter-based organizations.
