When we asked the question "How do literacy activities empower and stabilize the lives of women in the sex-trade?" we didn't realize how much would be accomplished through the agenda women set for themselves in the Women's Advisory Group (WAG) and other collective work.

Since the establishment of the WISH Learning Centre, a dozen new initiatives have emerged from the Women's Advisory Group Meetings. These initiatives were a source of meaningful learning opportunities while also producing concrete results. Initiatives included the following: planning trips and events, writing grant proposals for more literacy activities, creating a WISH Newsletter written and published by women, establishing a Missing Women's Committee, requesting that staff and volunteers at WISH are identified by nametags, assisting in the development of A Place of Grace (a two-day alternative gathering place for women on income assistance "cheque day" and the day after, initiated by a former sex-trade worker and addict who began working the street at 11 years), suggesting that WISH job openings be posted in the Drop-In, establishing the annual Literacy Picnic, planning memorials for women who have died, representing WISH in the February 14th Women's March Planning Committee, and debating the finer details of who is entitled to use the services of WISH (transgendered, hungry women not yet in the sex-trade).

History of the Women's Advisory Group

The Women's Advisory Group was initiated by the WISH organization to be a vehicle for communicating the issues and thoughts of women who use WISH's services. It is a critical component of the organization's vision for self-governance and a place where women can develop leadership and decision-making skills. The Learning Centre was seen as a logical place to hold the meetings and Capilano staff were originally asked to facilitate the meetings so that women could talk openly about their thoughts and concerns about WISH.