Ernestine's Unveils Plans for New Shelter

Over the past 21 years, Ernestine's Women's Shelter has grown significantly and has seen tremendous results in supporting women and children.  Our programs have grown and expanded and new programs have been added to better address the needs of the women and children who access our services. 

 Ernestine's Women's Shelter is now looking ahead to our future and how we can improve our services and help more women and children.  This plan incorporates the building of a new shelter.

Currently, the shelter is often at full capacity, which has a huge impact on the women and children staying there as well as those seeking help.  In an average year, over 600 women are turned away from Ernestine's Women's Shelter due to the lack of available beds.

 In the Spring of 2006, Ernestine's will be expanding our capacity from 22 to 32 beds in a new, wheelchair-accessible shelter.

 This new shelter is the result of years of hard work and the recognition of the need for increased and enhanced services. 

 Key features include:

• The 45% growth in bed-space will result in shelter for 50 more women and children a year.
• Accessibility of the new space will ensure quality service to women and children with disabilities.
• The shelter will be approximately 50% more energy efficient then current energy and building codes (among the most efficient in Canada) – a well-designed and thought-out space for our growth.
• The spaces of the new building are versatile and offer privacy to our clients and room for organizational growth.

The new building is an investment in the safety and well being of women and children who are fleeing violence

For more information on how you can help with the building of our new shelter, please contact the Resource Development Officer, at (416) 743-1733 ext. 2015 or email fundraiser@ernestines.ca.