YWCA launches campaign to expand crisis shelter units

Women seeking shelter from domestic violence and abuse will soon have more options to do so through the YWCA.

The YWCA provides emergency and second-stage housing for women and their families, but CEO Cara Bahr said the organization’s shelter is always operating at full capacity.

“Our rooms are only open as long as it takes to clean them,” she said.

She said that last year, the shelter had to turn away 4,253 women and their families.

Bahr said there is a critical need to address the homelessness crisis, as it deeply impacts women and children.

On Thursday, the organization’s $19-million “Hope Lives Here” campaign was launched, with a goal of providing more services for women and children fleeing violence or abuse.

“It takes, on average, seven to eight times for a woman to leave her abuser, and one of the biggest barriers to preventing her leaving is lack of housing,” Bahr said, noting that Saskatchewan has the highest rate of domestic violence of all Canadian provinces.

Jo Custead, the campaign’s co-chair, said the project will more than double the YWCA’s current housing capacity by adding 71 new beds and 35 new units for its Crisis Shelter and Residence. The 35 new, self-contained units to be added to the YWCA’s current facility will include a variety of multi-bedroom suites which will allow children to stay with their mothers, Custead explained.

She added that the project will repair and renovate “critical aspects” of the current facility, such as its aging roof.

Finally, Custead said, the project will expand the YWCA’s Employment and Learning Centre, which allows women to learn critical skills necessary to obtain employment.

Currently, there are 34 short-term crisis beds and 20 long-term supported beds. Bahr said the project will be completed and at 25 per cent capacity by 2024.

Bahr said she expects that the project will be completed and at 25 per cent capacity by 2024. (Submitted/YWCA)

The project has already raised $12.78 million of its $19 million goal.

The federal government invested $6.7 million into the project through its rapid housing initiative, while the City of Saskatoon has contributed $670,000 to the project. The provincial government is adding $945,000 to the project in addition to the $1 million previously announced from the Ministries of Social Services and Justice.

On Thursday, the Brownlee Family Foundation donated $2 million to the cause. The decision was a “no brainer,” according to Ina Lou Brownlee.

“I don’t think in this day and age anyone should go hungry, anyone should not have a roof over their head, and it breaks my heart to see homeless people out (here),” she said.

She said she’s hopeful that others in Saskatchewan will also donate to the campaign to help reach the project’s goal.

“Even though it is hardship that brings them through our doors, we are often reminded of the amount of hope that these women have,” Bahr said.