7/15/2019 Women's House of Bruce County Serving Bruce & Grey Second Stage Housing Project “Rebuilding Hope” Casey Weichert & Sandy Donald

Mission Statement The WHBC will provide transitional, supportive, secure and affordable housing to women and their children, who are leaving an abusive relationship. Further, the WHBC is committed to assisting these women to obtain the necessary skills and support to move forward in their lives with dignity. All of the people in the team are committed to the vision of eradicating the abuse of women in our society and in our communities. 7/15/2019

The Team The lead team represents a wide selection of community stakeholders: Casey Weichert, Dave Tucker, Sue Macleod, Elaine Walden & Colleen O’Donnell - Women’s House Sandy Donald, Charlie Bagnato, Judy Ashbee & Gwen Gilbert, Susan Earle - Municipal Councils & County Housing Colleen Purdon, Connie MacKay - Grey Bruce Domestic Violence Coordinating Committee 7/15/2019

Women’s House Programs Safe Shelter Children’s Support Groups 24 hour Crisis Lines Women’s support Groups Counselling Transportation Program Child & Youth Program Volunteer Program Transition Program Public Education Child Witness Program Partnership for Prevention Outreach Counselling Web Site 7/15/2019

Why Second Stage Housing? Provides stability Ongoing support & Counselling increases success Poverty decreases success of an abuse free life Establishes networks of friends Allows remaining in own community/schools Promotion of positive adjustment. 7/15/2019

What we need to do We need to move beyond the short term. We need to move towards rebuilding of lives and hope We need to provide longer term (1-2 years) assistance We need to include safety, support through on-site counselling for women and children We need to build the facilities that will allow these things to happen 7/15/2019

How do we do this Build secure homes throughout Bruce County Using a decentralized model House up to 20 women and their children Provide affordable leases for one/two years Have options of one, two and three bedrooms Provide on site Counsellors 7/15/2019

Project Overview Acquire the land Design the facilities to house up to 20 women in total and their children Secure the funding Build the facilities Open facilities late 2006 Establish on site programming 7/15/2019

Financial We are developing a model for the innovative type of financing this will require. Each locale may have its own unique financial plan. We will need in kind donations, grants, land donations etc. It cannot impact on the established ongoing fundraising initiatives. 7/15/2019

Key Issues Near Term Needs assessment Funding feasibility Business plan Property acquisition Long Term Establish network of safe, supportive housing for abused women 7/15/2019

Key Messages A Community is only as safe as the support it provides to is most vulnerable citizens Safety + Stability = Success 7/15/2019