Shelter sets occupancy record

The Atikokan Crisis Centre reported 100 percent occupancy at its emergency shelter for 2006/07—a new record.
But Donna Kroocmo, executive director for the ACC, noted the figure does not necessarily mean abuse rates in the district are going up.
“We advertised more than we ever had before. And our new billboards went up,” she noted.
Some of the ACC’s new programs also might be contributing to a higher profile, including the Child Witness program launched last year.
“Probably our Child Witness program is helping because we’re working with other services,” Kroocmo remarked.
The program, which helps children who have witnessed abuse in their homes, is offered in partnership with agencies such as the United Native Friendship Centre, which can refer women to the ACC should they suspect abuse.
“We’re doing way more outreach than we’ve ever done before,” Kroocmo added.
A total of 147 women and 152 children were provided with safe haven last year at the shelter—up from 114 women and 100 children the previous year.
The high occupancy rate at the emergency shelter is good news for two reasons, Kroocmo noted.
“It’s great that [abused women] are seeking refuge,” she said.
“[And] for us, it’s good news in terms of longevity because the Ministry [of Community and Social Services] is going to look at that and say the service is needed and continue to fund it,” she added.
The previous highest occupancy rate had been in 2002/03, when it reached 82 percent.
The report was presented to board members at the ACC’s annual general meeting June 11 in Atikokan.
Also at that meeting, the board heard updates on the centre’s other programs.
The 24-hour crisis line saw an increase in total calls from 1,239 last year to 1,527 this year, or an average of 4.2 crisis calls per day.
A number of renovations were made at the emergency shelter and Second Stage Housing, including an additional bathroom, storage room, roof repairs, and new doors at the shelter, and 10 new apartment-sized stoves with range hoods in the housing complex.
The ACC also provides assistance and support to women “involved in sexual assault cases, domestic violence cases, child protection cases, and in working with the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board, Ontario Works, Ontario Disability Support Program, Ontario Student Assistance Program, Legal Aid, and the Business Development programs,” Kroocmo wrote in her report.
“We have witnessed several clients move from situations of despair to hope, regaining custody of their children, obtaining meaningful employment, and being successful in their applications for compensation from criminal injuries,” she added.
Members also elected a new board of directors. Joan McIntosh was elected chair, Caroline Spencer vice-chair, Sharon Preston secretary, and Cecile Davidson treasurer.
Other board members include Mary Nault, Janet Judson, Tammy McGee, and Deborah Coulson.
In other news, Kroocmo said the ACC has been made the lead agency in the new Domestic Violence Co-ordinating Committee for Kenora-Rainy River.
“We’re going to come together for the common purpose of ending women abuse,” she said.
The ministry chose the ACC to partner with other shelters and relevant agencies across the region to form the committee.
“They believe we know how to pull people together for the common good,” Kroocmo said. “We’re constantly expanding our programs.”
As well, the ACC is hoping to start a Caring Dads program as an offshoot of the Child Witness program, which focuses on mother and children only.
“Men need to hear the impact of women abuse on their children,” Kroocmo stressed.
The Child Witness program has had great success in the past year-and-a-half.
Children who may have thought that they were the cause of their parents’ fighting learn they are not responsible.
They also learn constructive ways of dealing with their own anger, rather than resorting to physical violence.
“The guilt is gone,” Kroocmo said. “Moms are reporting their kids are behaving better. We’re helping heal children.”