She should know. Trudi’s department managed to open an interim women’s shelter at on November 28 with only a few weeks notice. That included everything from recruiting and hiring staff, to repairing the facility, arranging laundry services, and buying groceries.

 

“People literally dropped what they were doing and made it happen in a very short period of time because they related to that need and the compelling story of women actually being on the street wondering where they’re going to sleep tonight,” says Trudi.

 

Existing staff worked overtime and some agreed to change their positions or work sites to make sure positions were filled. The building maintenance contractor shuffled jobs to make sure the facility was safe and would pass the city inspection.

 

Even the company that rents washers and dryers to the shelter stepped up. “They saw the story in the news and prioritized the job ahead by two days. They said, ‘You can’t open a shelter without us.’ They were outside the door that day. We were scheduled for Wednesday but they showed up Monday morning, of their own accord.”

 

An especially heart-warming story comes from North Vancouver’s 7th Grouse Brownie Troop, led by Dana Holland. When Holland saw a news story about the shelter, she suggested the girls make Angel Boxes, explains Trudi. “The boxes are packed with gifts of personal care items – shampoo, socks, underwear, nail polish – this box full of treasures, really. They wrapped them and put little cards in them and brought them down to 329 Powell Street, just because they saw that story. And there’s enough for every woman in the shelter.” The boxes are being saved to give to the women as Christmas gifts.

 

Less than two weeks after opening, the Powell Place Umbrella Project is full, with some women coming directly from sleeping rough on the street. One woman, found sleeping in a doorway, was brought to the shelter by a front-line staff member who was on her coffee break.

 

Women often arrive at one of St. James’ women’s shelters – Powell Place, the Umbrella Project, or St. Elizabeth’s – because wherever they were previously, their safety was threatened, be it by their partner, family of origin, an unsafe housing situation, the sex trade, or through involvement in drug activity.

 

“Honestly, the women who come to us, most of them have experienced violence in their lives.”

For those who wish to contribute to St. James women’s shelters, donations can be made online. Also needed are new, warm socks and pajamas and personal care items; these can be dropped off at 329 Powell Street; just ring the doorbell. Thank you.