Next month, the Women’s Resource Centre receives a much-needed physical makeover thanks to Project Hope.
WRC executive director Melanie MacDonald said they weren’t looking to change as maintenance money is very hard to get since core government funding for women’s centres was slashed in 2004.
“We’d work from a cardboard box if we had to, but this project will be wonderful for our clients and staff as well,” she said.
Almost 30 years ago, a community initiative was set up to serve women in all their issues.
Although services have changed with the changing needs of women, MacDonald said they’ve always maintained an open door policy for all women.
The centre operates as a collective where board members and staff work together with everyone having a voice in decisions.
“Our agency is a success in no small part to our board who have been so supportive over the years,” she added.
“We may be less strong financially but our core is very strong.”
Despite funding challenges, the WRC still offers a variety of services to women including two Stopping the Violence counsellors which is a province-wide initiative providing free, confidential counselling for any women who have suffered any form of violence.
“This includes young women living an adult lifestyle,” MacDonald said.
“We have an alarming increase in women needing our program. It’s also incredible how many youth we’re seeing.”
She said last year, overall, the program saw almost 1,500 women. With so much demand, the wait time for a counselling appointment can be as much as three weeks.
The WRC drop-in support and education program which offers support and crisis counselling to any woman who comes through the door is also much in demand.
MacDonald, whose role is defined as administrative, said some days 90 per cent of her time is spent with drop in women in need of crisis support services.
“With the pressure on our counselling services, the drop-in program is critical,” she said.
“We’ve always been busy, but not as busy as we’ve been in the last few years.”
WRC staff also provide educational presentations to community groups, schools and hold yearly events like Take Back the Night, Clothesline Project and International Women’s Day.
Every Thursday afternoon, the Luna Women’s Health Clinic opens it doors for basic screening and testing services such as pregnancy testing, PAP examinations, birth control and emergency contraception and sexually transmitted disease testing.
“Women see a nurse and there’s childcare available,” MacDonald said.
“It’s very women-centred and more comfortable than other options.”
She added some days, in a four-hour period, the nurse may see as many as seven women.
WRC staff volunteer their time to staff a 24-hour sexual assault response line which can include such services as support and counselling, accompanying women to hospital or RCMP detachment, MacDonald said its a friendly ear in a time of crisis.
“Our centre has a small but incredible team, the counsellors are so skilled, they’re amazing,” MacDonald said.
“We really work hard to create an environment that’s open, nonjudgmental and a place that women feel ownership of and a part of the centre.
“We’re so excited to be receiving this makeover. It will remove some of the current building maintenance pressures from our budget.
“But possibly more important, this makeover will create a nicer, more welcoming atmosphere and these women deserve a nice place to receive services.
“This project demonstrates how the community values the work we do. We’re the only agency in the community serving this segment of the population. Our agency is where women who fall through the cracks are sent. We offer extra and creative support.
“We can work with women from where they’re at and aren’t hampered by the bureaucratic limitations of other agencies and institutions.”
Project Hope visionary Rebekah Harding said the committee is still looking for cash donations to ensure this makeover reaches all the goals.
Those interested in helping Project Hope can visit the facebook page PROJECT HOPE QUESNEL 2011 for information, e-mail projecthope2011@gmail.com or phone 250-255-7404 or 250-991-6620.
