Heather Latter
There was a significant increase in the occupancy rate this year at the Rainy River District Women’s Shelter of Hope.
Executive director Donna Kroocmo reported at last month’s annual general meeting held at La Place Rendez-Vous, that during 2012-2013 it saw 83 percent occupancy, which was up from 69 percent last year.
However, she added safety and security was provided to 79 women, down from 93 women the previous year, but that 67 children used the shelter, which was up from 62 children last year.
“We continue to witness more women than children accessing our service,” Kroocmo expressed. “This trend has been noted by other women’s emergency shelters throughout the province.”
In addition, the Shelter’s New Horizons/2nd Stage Housing, which is an apartment building for women ready to move out into the community, is currently fully occupied.
She indicated the occupancy rate for 2011/2012 was 67 percent, down slightly from 72 percent last year.
“We are extremely please that this program is providing assistance to many families, for we continue to find that women who utilize the services of both the women’s emergency shelter and 2nd Stage Housing are better able to maintain abuse-free lives once they move out into the community,” Kroocmo enthused.
“These two programs mesh very well, to the benefit of our clients,” she added.
Meanwhile, the 24-Hour Crisis Line, which operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, answered 708 calls for assistance in 2013.
This is down significantly from last year’s total of 1,488.
“However, we believe this is due to problems we have had with our computer software program which has been collecting statistics and that this problem will be rectified for next year’s report,” Kroocmo noted.
“Nonetheless, we can accurately state that at least 708 calls for help were answered, verifying the need for this vital service,” she expressed.
Kroocmo also updated those present at the meeting with several of the successful programs at the Shelter and 2nd Stage Housing, including tenants’ meetings and weekly support groups.
She indicated they host a bi-weekly “Bake ’n Take” group with recipes from clients.
“This food is then given to the women to bring home, and any leftovers are brought over to the Women’s Emergency Shelter,” she explained, citing child care is provided for both events and women from the Shelter, ex-clients, tenants, and community women are welcome.
Another successful program is the Child Witness Program, which was provided to a total of 42 women and 86 children in 2012/2013 and increased this year to 47 women and 85 children.
“Families attended from all over the Kenora-Rainy River regions, including fly-in northern remote communities such as Sandy Lake and Webequie,” Kroocmo noted.
“This is a truly therapeutic program and we believe that by working with children, we are utilizing one of the most effective methods to end women abuse,” she continued.
“Mothers consistently report that have a better rapport and increased communication with their children following their participation in the program, and co-facilitators continue to report that this is the most rewarding program they are involved in,” noted Kroocmo.
However, one program that is not seeing the same success is the Caring Dads Program, as they have been unable to secure the necessary referrals to start this program for men.
While facilitators have been trained, a venue secured, brochures produced, and advertising done, referrals have only trickled in and they have not yet hosted a group.
“We continue to meet and discuss ways in which we could educate the public on the merits of this program,” Kroocmo voiced. “We recognize the gap in service that exists in addressing the needs of men and continue to hope that we will soon be successful in meeting this need.”
She explained it is important because women often return to their partners and because children continue to visit their fathers.
“It is vital that we accept the fact that if we are not intervening and working with these men, the patterns of abusive behaviour will continue unabated, exposing both the women and their children to significant risk of further harm,” she emphasized, citing they will carry on in their attempts to recruit participants to the Caring Dads Program.
Kroocmo concluded that she is experiencing incredible work done at the Women’s Shelter and 2nd Stage Housing.
“Because the board, Ministry personnel, DSSAB, and staff share the vision that working together to assist women and their children in their quest to live violence-free lives, we have been very successful,” she expressed.
“More work needs to be done, but as long as we continue to share a common goal and vision, I am confident we will continue on this successful path,” added Kroocmo.
Immediately following the annual general meeting, the executive was nominated—and they are Caroline Spencer as chair, Colleen Eager as vice-chair, Heather Campbell as treasurer, and Kristina St, Pierre as secretary.
