November 11, 2005 • Huntsville may get funding for abuse victims
November 11, 2005 • Huntsville Forester
By Katy Peplinskie
Chrysalis women’s shelter may get a funding windfall following the McGuinty’s government’s recent $1 million pledge to Ontario’s affordable housing strategy for victims of domestic violence.
As a Ministry of Community and Social Services spokesperson explained, the funding will flow to Ontario’s nine regional offices, and each region will decide how the money is distributed. Huntsville is a part of the province’s Central East region.
The amount of money being dispensed to each region has still not been decided, but will be based on the need demonstrated by social service agencies within each area.
“Chrysalis will probably benefit significantly from this,” said Joy McCormack, executive director of the Muskoka Interval House, adding that the current social and political climate is right for Chrysalis organizers.
“There are a lot of supports available for new [women’s shelters] getting started,” she said, recalling how 20 years ago, Muskoka Interval House’s supporters “had to work really hard to convince council of [their] necessity.”
Recently, council’s support for Chrysalis was duly shown through its naming of the shelter as Huntsville’s ‘highest priority’ when it comes to the distribution of grant money.
The McGuinty government’s $1 million investment will help women connect with counselling, parenting, life skills and victims’ services.
“We are reaching out to help more women find and maintain the housing they need to build stable lives for themselves and their children,” announced Community and Social Services Minister Sandra Pupatello at a Wednesday press conference. “By helping women and children live free of violence, we are building a stronger, safer community for us all.” |
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