(file photo/Prince Albert Safe Shelter For Women)

By Nigel Maxwell

Healthy communities

Provincial government commits support to help women in crisis

Mar 22, 2023 | 5:00 PM

The executive director of the Prince Albert Safe Shelter for Women is welcoming a three-year commitment by the provincial government to support second stage housing for women and their children fleeing domestic violence.

Over $875,000 was set aside in the provincial budget.

“Funds such as this helps to create a better quality of life for all our community people and gives us the power to support and assist people when they are in crisis,” Sherry Bates said.

The Safe Shelter for Women has nine family rooms and can accommodate around 25 people, with extra space in case of emergency. The clients who come to stay for up to six weeks, come from all parts of the country, on their journeys to get a clean start. Those who require second stage housing, can stay up to two years.

While Bates was unclear about the specifics of the announcement, she hopes her phone will soon ring with some answers.

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And commenting on their daily pressures, Bates explained since the onset of the pandemic, calls for service have increased tremendously, as have daily crisis calls.

“Our wait times become longer and longer and people are staying in shelter longer and longer,” she said, adding too there’s also issues after for the families seeking affordable housing.

“It’s just a vicious cycle we are trying to work with,” she said.

With respect to solutions, Bates suggested anything to do with wraparound services, and more second stage housing, which is not as intensive as a shelter stay, and offers supports to people trying to transition to living on their own and in a violence free lifestyle.

Donna Brooks, CEO of the Prince Albert YWCA, is also welcoming the announcement, as well as an overall boost to social services.

“I am happy to see a commitment by the province our most vulnerable population by providing a $46.7 million increase the Ministry of Social Services. This will help ensure that people and families are safe, supported and are able to have an active role in their communities. We are also pleased to see a strong commitment to mental health, addictions and interpersonal violence. Although we don’t know the details yet, we are hoping these increases have a positive impact on the Prince Albert catchment area,” she said.

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nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell