Government support enables A Safe Place to continue operations
July 2, 2015
WHITEHORSE—The Yukon government is providing the Victoria Faulkner Women’s Centre with $39,000 – in addition to $50,000 from the Prevention of Violence Against Aboriginal Women Fund – to support A Safe Place, an initiative that offers women and children low-barrier drop-in programming on Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings.
“We’re pleased to support a program that provides vulnerable women and their children with a place to feel safe at hours where options are otherwise limited,” Minister of Justice Brad Cathers said.
A Safe Place operates year-round out of the Victoria Faulkner Women’s Centre in downtown Whitehorse. It is a voluntary, drop-in program that is overseen by trained facilitators. Clients are offered a place to relax, eat, do laundry, use computers and telephones and access counselling and support services.
“A Safe Place is providing a supportive environment where women and children can connect with others, participate in facilitated wellness activities and receive referrals for other programs and services,” Minister responsible for the Women’s Directorate Elaine Taylor said. “This particular funding will ensure its continued operation to March, 2016.”
The program has been offered since December of 2013 and is a joint project by the Victoria Faulkner Women’s Centre and Yukon Status of Women Council.
“A Safe Place is filling a gap in services for women in Whitehorse by providing a warm meal, a non-judgmental atmosphere, and an opportunity to connect with resources on evenings and weekends when other service providers are closed. Since the program’s inception we’ve had more than 1200 drop-in visits from a wide diversity of women,” Victoria Faulkner Women’s Centre program coordinator Hillary Aitken said. “This funding helps us maintain a vital program for Yukon women and children and we are very pleased to have received this support.”
The Yukon government has also provided A Safe Place with $46,080 through the Community Development Fund and $1,000 through the Women’s Community Project Fund.
Learn more: Victoria Faulkner Women’s Centre or call 867-667-2693
-30-
Contact:
Elaine Schiman
Cabinet Communications
867-633-7961
elaine.schiman@gov.yk.ca
Megan Foreman
Communications, Justice
867-669-8050
megan.foreman@gov.yk.ca
NT5
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