Ontario is providing more than $2.5 million to Women in Crisis Algoma for the creation of a new support centre in Sault Ste. Marie for survivors of gender-based violence and women at risk.
The three-year funding commitment from the province will enable the organization to bring together key community partners in legal services, housing, education, health care, childcare, employment and victim services under one roof, while emphasizing prevention through educational programming.
Sault Ste. Marie MPP Chris Scott joined staff and management at Women In Crisis Algoma at its 24-bed shelter on Saturday to make the announcement.
“If there was something we could have that would be out in the community for any woman — with or without children — who needed access to it, this would be it,” said Norma Elliott, director of community relations and finance for Women In Crisis Algoma.
“We decided to shoot for the stars and put everything in [the proposal] that we felt was a barrier for women right now.”
Elliott says the new drop-in centre will help break down barriers for women trying to leave abuse and violence, such as helping them navigate the legal system and providing access to doctors and medical support for women and their children.
The centre can also be used as a safe place in which women can talk privately with police and other community agencies.
“I think women will now have a place to go and talk to get support,” Elliott said.
Both Scott and Women In Crisis Algoma are eyeing an opening date of July 1 for the centre, which will operate Monday through Friday at a yet-to-be finalized location in downtown Sault Ste. Marie.
”I hope it's going to make an immediate difference in a lot of different ways because of how innovative and thoughtful they're, they're leveraging it, and leveraging their partnerships,” Scott told reporters following the announcement. “I think it's addressing — and increasing — crisis and intervention supports and training.”
Those who spoke during Saturday’s announcement noted the funding comes roughly a year-and-a-half after the tragic mass shooting that claimed the lives of four innocent people.
On the night of Oct. 23, 2023, Bobbie Hallaert shot ex-girlfriend Angie Sweeney inside her Tancred Street house. He then drove to a Second Line home where he killed his three children — Abbie, Nate and Ally — and wounded a second woman before fatally turning the gun on himself.
“Angie's Angels talked about how they thought that her partner wasn't good, that he wasn't healthy — but they didn't know what to do with it,” said Elliott.
“This centre, anybody could walk in.”
The operating costs could range between $700,000 and $800,000 per year. Elliott hopes the province will pledge additional funding beyond its three-year commitment.
“Once we get the momentum going and we have a lawyer in place and we have the staffing in place and we have women and children and men accessing services — how do you say we're done now?” said Elliott. “We're hoping that the funding continues.”
Scott told reporters that he’s encouraging Women In Crisis Algoma to work with its partner agencies and the province to see if funding for the centre can eventually be extended beyond 2028.