Post by IAMCAPER on Nov 14, 2005 10:56:44 GMT -4
The Every Woman’s Centre will be able to provide longer-term support for women who need it, thanks to $182,000 in federal funding announced Thursday.
The money will be used to expand the existing facilities of Almost Home, a women’s shelter on Bentinck Street which has been open since February 2004.
Sydney-Victoria MP Mark Eyking made the funding announcement while visiting the site Thursday where he discussed the renovation and expansion plans with Every Woman’s Centre officials.
“This is a very important facility. This centre provides a place where women can come and get their life together,” he said. “It’s something that’s needed in the community.”
To date at the Bentinck Street location, approximately 25 homeless women have found help, support and shelter under its roof, according to Raylene Theriault, a co-ordinator of the centre. The length of stay has varied from one night to one year.
During the first phase of the Almost Home project, one building was renovated but officials always had a vision to renovate a second building located in back to provide additional space for women in need. With the funding announced Thursday, that will now be able to proceed.
“There will be three single apartments for women who need longer-term support,” said Theriault.
The apartments are expected to be ready in about four months.
Marjorie MacDonald, board chair of the Every Woman’s Centre, said having apartments will add an important dimension to the service they offer.
She explained every woman who seeks help is in a unique situation and some need more time than others to get back on their feet.
“People come here with nothing, sometimes just the clothes on their back,” said MacDonald. “(The apartments) will give us another option for them.”
“It’s going to be a really good addition to the existing facilities,” added Eyking.
The ultimate goal of the shelter is to give women the skills and confidence they need to be self-sufficient in the community, said MacDonald.
Theriault noted the need for services like Almost Home is great, as many women are what she described as the “invisible homeless,” who live with friends but don’t have a permanent address of their own.
The money will be used to expand the existing facilities of Almost Home, a women’s shelter on Bentinck Street which has been open since February 2004.
Sydney-Victoria MP Mark Eyking made the funding announcement while visiting the site Thursday where he discussed the renovation and expansion plans with Every Woman’s Centre officials.
“This is a very important facility. This centre provides a place where women can come and get their life together,” he said. “It’s something that’s needed in the community.”
To date at the Bentinck Street location, approximately 25 homeless women have found help, support and shelter under its roof, according to Raylene Theriault, a co-ordinator of the centre. The length of stay has varied from one night to one year.
During the first phase of the Almost Home project, one building was renovated but officials always had a vision to renovate a second building located in back to provide additional space for women in need. With the funding announced Thursday, that will now be able to proceed.
“There will be three single apartments for women who need longer-term support,” said Theriault.
The apartments are expected to be ready in about four months.
Marjorie MacDonald, board chair of the Every Woman’s Centre, said having apartments will add an important dimension to the service they offer.
She explained every woman who seeks help is in a unique situation and some need more time than others to get back on their feet.
“People come here with nothing, sometimes just the clothes on their back,” said MacDonald. “(The apartments) will give us another option for them.”
“It’s going to be a really good addition to the existing facilities,” added Eyking.
The ultimate goal of the shelter is to give women the skills and confidence they need to be self-sufficient in the community, said MacDonald.
Theriault noted the need for services like Almost Home is great, as many women are what she described as the “invisible homeless,” who live with friends but don’t have a permanent address of their own.