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Powell Place Shelter
Powell Place has the capacity to serve 26 single women at any given time. In the past year we provided shelter
for 1077 single women and had to turn away 1283 due to lack of space. The vast majority of women accessing Powell Place are dealing
with a number of major challenges in their lives. The issues women are most often dealing with include addiction, mental health,
physical illness and the dangers that come from working in the survival sex trade. Lack of supports in all of the above areas often
leads to a revolving door of substandard hotels and emergency shelters.
We work with women to link them with the services that are available and support them in their quest to survive the harsh realities
of their lives. St. James has always served those considered most marginalized in society and honored and respected their lives.
This sentiment is very important to the work we do at Powell Place.
For more information about Powell Place please contact
Kathy Stringer.
St. Elizabeth Home Emergency Shelter
St. Elizabeth Home has the capacity to shelter 32 women and children. In the first full year of operation
958 women and children stayed while 1244 were turned away. These statistics reflect the need for the services we provide as well
as demonstrating a lack of affordable housing.
At St. Elizabeth's we are addressing the need for short-term emergency shelter while working to support women find safe affordable
housing in a difficult housing market. We realize what women and children need most is access to decent affordable housing.
Women and their children access our services during times of crisis. We work with them to provide support to find better housing and
connect to with appropriate services. We advocate when necessary whilst providing a safe and secure setting.
Transitional Housing Program
The transitional housing component of St. Elizabeth's Home consists of 10 suites. These units are a mix of one,
two and three bedroom suites. One of the suites is designed and equipped for someone with a mobility disability. The stay in the
transitional housing program is up to two years, allowing a decent period of time to work on life issues and search for better
housing. Some of our residents have moved on to permanent housing while others continue to work on their goals in the program.
Staff is available to support women in achieving their goals. In the past year the program has really taken shape with many communal
activities for the women and children to participate in and enjoy. Other ongoing activities include crafts, games, movie nights,
baking and pot luck dinners.
Child And Youth Support
St. Elizabeth's has an incredible play space for children. Both the inside and outside areas provide great
possibilities for some much needed fun! Direct emotional support to children, and assistance for mothers accessing services for
their children are important aspects of this program. Discovering and making connections with community resources including parks,
schools, clinics etc. have enhanced the program as well. This is a note we received from a women who stayed with us.
There are few words
To describe this feeling
Many faces have come through this door
My child's was one of them
No one could have given us what we
Left with-our dignity
No one could have replaced its loss
Yet here-many protected this treasure
In a child's heart
And his spirit hope to dream again
A child without courage is like a
A night without stars
Thanks to all the stars we saw here
For more information about St. Elizabeth Home please contact Trudi Shymka.
The Umbrella Cold Weather Shelter
The Umbrella Shelter opened and closed for a 4th Cold Wet Weather Season. We sheltered 304
single women and turned away 317 due to lack of space. Every year it is rewarding to be able to offer extra shelter
beds for homeless women during the cold/wet weather season. Every year it is equally difficult to close our doors
at the end of March, knowing that there are women who are still in need of shelter. Christmas dinner at the Umbrella
has always been a very special occasion, thanks to the effort of very caring staff as well as dinner provided by the
Fairmont Vancouver Hotel.
Thanks to funding from Human Resorce Department Canada's
Supporting Communities Partnership Initiative and the Ministry of Human Resources
the Umbrella will be operating on November 1st, 2004 for its fifth season.
For more information about the Umbrella please contact Trudi Shymka.
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