During the second annual YWCA Gala Tuesday night a new program was announced to support those escaping intimate partner violence.
CEO for YWCA Lethbridge and District Jill Young announced in April the organization will be launching Harbour House Hope, which will be a long-term stay program that is described as being the next step and stage for those who have gone through the 30-day program at Harbour House.
“We are so excited to be announcing this new project. This is something that the YWCA team here in Lethbridge has really been eyeing for the last few months and with the support of a $400,000 grant from the City of Lethbridge,” Young says. “Harbour House Hope is going to be that next transitional phase for those who are not necessarily ready to jump into independent and market housing. But we are here to provide that support and guidance as they make their journey to that independence.”
She explains this new program and facility will be a place for someone who is leaving a domestic violence shelter program, not exclusively Harbour House, but are not able to or have the means to enter market housing. Young says those who live at Harbour House Hope will have to pay a level of rent for their independent room, which will go to the YWCA and be put into the services accessible through the communal living facility.
“It is generally guided towards a six to 18-month stay for those individuals and their families and we are hoping we will be able to provide that support and guidance and the management to really help them get on their way as they go onto the next steps of their goals.”
Young says the need for this program continues to be seen in Lethbridge with Harbour House operating at capacity, with intimate partner violence continuing to see an increase and the city having some of the highest rates of intimate partner violence across the country. However, she says they have seen individuals return to the shelter multiple times because they couldn’t find a safe place to go and stay.
“What can be challenging for those individuals who have accessed our services through Harbour House but are looking to move on after 30 days,” Young says. “So with that short period, it can be very difficult to jump into market housing, we really need to identify what that gap is.”
Through the new program, the YWCA is looking to support 12 different families throughout the year.
