YWCA Women’s Shelter provides safety and hope
Newly renovated space celebrated
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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 25/05/2018 (2713 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
The YWCA Westman Women’s Shelter is a safe haven for hundreds of women and children every year.
One client who checked in this week said it was her only option after escaping from a violent partner.
“I’m so terrified of this guy and the power and control … he has on people,” said the woman, who spoke to The Brandon Sun on the condition of anonymity. “I really didn’t know if I was gonna wake up the next day.”
The emergency shelter is secure, and is at a non-disclosed location to protect its clients.
“They have a lot of good resources,” the woman said. “I came here with nothing, and I got pyjamas, and I got clothes, everything that I needed.”
It is comforting to sleep in a secure place, and know professional counsellors are there to help, she said.
“What would a woman do without this shelter in Brandon? They’re very friendly and they’re kind,” she said.
The YWCA Westman Women’s Shelter celebrated its newly renovated space on Thursday, offering tours to community leaders and invited guests. The shelter has been in operation since 1978, and at its current location since 1990.
The renovation included upgrades to the air conditioning/heat systems in the building as well as more cosmetic aspects, such as new flooring, revamped offices, built-in storage and fresh interior paint.
As the building belongs to Manitoba Housing, YWCA Brandon executive director Peto said they received money through the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp.’s shelter enhancement program to complete the work.
“It’s nice and sparkly and new and way better storage for us, which was a big problem in the past,” Peto said.
“I think it’s pretty nice when you’re in crisis, to be able to come to a nice spot, and have a nice room to stay in…to feel comfortable and safe.”
On average, the shelter houses 200-250 women and 250-300 children a year. The space has a limit of 24 people at any given time, and typically people stay for about 20 days.
While there, clients have a range of counsellors to work with. The women learn about the cycle of violence and the profile of an abuser.
“Making them understand their role in the whole thing — that they’re not at fault, that the issues are about the abuser, not about the abused,” Peto said.
Shelter staff help clients if they want to leave the abuser, such as looking for housing, seeking legal help, financial assistance, etc.
“Another big piece is protection planning, so whether they are leaving their partner or not, they need to know how to protect themselves and their kids,” Peto said. “So we spend a good deal of time working on that aspect as well.”
In addition, the organization offers non-residential counselling, as well as follow-up counselling once they leave the shelter.
Non-residential counsellor Candice Cross decorated her office to be all about “women, culture and strength.”
“That’s what the elephants are all about, they’re very maternal and they’re very protective,” she said.
Most of Cross’ clients have been through some sort of abuse — physical, emotional, financial, or a combination of them all.
“A lot of the people I see want validation that what they’ve been living in is abusive, it’s not their imagination,” she said.
The refreshed space is just one small way to help make the clients feel comfortable.
“If they’ve got a place where they can come, they’re treated with respect and the place looks like it respects them as individuals — I think they feel that they count, that they are worth something,” Cross said. “And maybe that’s the first time in their life that we felt that. So we have a huge responsibility.”
The shelter relies on community donations. Some of their “wish list” items for children include baby bottles, sippy cups, baby monitors, diapers, strollers, playpens, baby wipes and school supplies. General needs include pyjamas for women and children, undergarments, towels, sheets and dishes.
For confidential information and help, call the Manitoba Provincial 24-Hour Crisis Line at 1-877-977-0007.
» jaustin@brandonsun.com
» Twitter: @jillianaustin