At North York Women’s Shelter, we operate as a community. Our residents, staff, volunteers and supporters from across the GTA and beyond are all united by a common drive to support those affected by gender-based violence and to reduce the risk for future generations. This month, we were honoured to see the advocacy of one of our long-term supporters come to life!

NYWS Staff with AOC Leadership and American Airlines staff. Left to right: Carol Latchford – NYWS Executive Director; Burak Aydemir – General Manager, Cathay Pacific; Rachel Morrison – NYWS Manager, Fund Development; Javier Barreiro – General Manager, American Airlines; Haffiza Husain – Premium Services & Community Relations Chair, American Airlines; Philippe Serafino – Senior Country Manager International Airport Operations – American Airlines.

The Toronto Pearson Airline Operators Committee (AOC) operates out of YYZ, collaboratively bringing together key members of each of the airport’s airlines to improve operations, resolve challenges and enhance efficiency between agencies. Each summer, they host a networking and fundraising golf tournament, which was this year held at Glen Eagle Golf Club in Caledon on Tuesday, June 17th. With special thanks to Haffiza Husain, American Airlines’ Premium Services & Community Relations Chair, and a valued member of the NYWS community, North York Women’s Shelter was chosen as the official supported charity of the 2025 AOC Golf Tournament.

AOC members from approximately 65 airline operators came together to enjoy a patio barbecue followed by an afternoon out on Glen Eagle’s beautiful golf course. The day concluded with a networking session followed by awards, prizes and recognition for the tournament’s key contributors – many of which were additional fundraising activities for North York Women’s Shelter.

Rachel Morrison, Senior Manager of Fund Development, and Carol Latchford, our Executive Director, greeted the players and participants to share our vital work of supporting survivors of gender-based violence. Many of the crowd were excited to learn about NYWS being Toronto’s first pet-friendly shelter, and how we are actively working with the children living at NWYS to support them to understand healthy relationship dynamics as a means of reducing the risk that they might experience intimate partner violence themselves later in life.

We were honoured to be presented with a cheque for $20,000 following an incredibly successful day of fundraising by all at the Pearson Airline Operators Committee. This funding will allow us to continue our vital work supporting women and children through crisis as they flee gender-based violence and begin their new life, preparing for safety, stability and happiness at our shelter.

Special thanks also go out to the supporters of the event who made this fundraising total possible;

• Air Canada
• WestJet
• Porter
• PrimeFlight
• Fastenal
• AGI
• TriExpress
• Airway Interline
• Aviation and Airport Services Canada
• CDC Crew Transport
• Swissport
• Newrest
• CASS Corporation
• Menzies Aviation
• GTA dnata
• ASP Security Services
• Dependable Couriers LTD
• BrokerLink

These generous supporters, together with each participant of the golf tournament, have contributed to an incredibly meaningful cause. The demand for support services for survivors of gender-based violence, together with their children and their pets, is sadly continuing to rise in our city. At North York Women’s Shelter, for every one survivor we were able to support last fiscal year, we had to turn another away due to being at capacity. Our ability to meet the needs of our community comes from the driven, heartfelt contributions of our community. With thanks to all at the 2025 AOC Golf Tournament, this $20,000 will go towards transforming the lives of families who are truly in need this summer. Your support is already making such a difference.

The AOC Committee handing over their hard-raised funds to the North York Women’s Shelter team. From left to right, Carol Latchford – NYWS Executive Director; Christina Wendland – General Manager, Air France-KLM; Burak Aydemir – General Manager, Cathay Pacific; Tracey Cece – General Manager, Caribbean Airlines; Rachel Morrison – NYWS Sr. Manager, Fund Development; Javier Barreiro – General Manager, American Airlines.

We look forward to deepening our relationship with our neighbours and friends at the Toronto Pearson Airline Operators Committee, and working together to end gender-based violence for all.