Shelter for women and families

 

The director of a shelter for families wants to expand and is looking for financial help.  

Over 400 young people under the age of 15, 275 single women and nearly 300 families were served at the Shelter for Women and Families last year.  

Shelters like this offer support to women, men and families every year. They allow people to have a safe environment, live comfortably and help individuals get back on their feet.  

The Shelter for Women and Families offers benefits to those who seek it. Executive Director Lady Laforet said the Shelter for Women and Families is crucially important to them. 

“We are a housing-focused shelter, with a housing-first philosophy,” said Laforet. “That means we exist to get you out of shelter, and back into the community where you belong. We provide housing support, applying for income, removing barriers, applying for housing, escorts to viewings, assistance with Central Housing applications, applying for Housing Stability Funds for moving, emergency food package for move-out, follow-up support via our drop in and much more.” 

The Shelter for Women and Families began in 1989 when five women concerned about social justice and poverty issues came together to begin exploring the need for a women’s agency.  

Grace Reaume stayed at the Hiatus House 16 years ago when her husband was struggling with addiction and verbal arguments began becoming more frequent. She said just a few months later, with support from the shelter, she was able to get her home back and get back on her feet.  

“It was a situation I needed to get out of, they were really good at supporting and offering social support,” said Reaume. “They had clothing and food, so I was very fortunate. They were also offering support to my ex-husband.” 

Expansion for the Shelter for Women and Families is on the horizon and they need the community’s help to raise $10,000 to locate to a single site location. Families are currently being housed in offsite area motels. By having a larger service hub for women, Laforet said it will increase service efficiency for the shelter and lower the cost of running the facility.