A band-aid fix to the closure of the Vernon Women’s Centre has been given a little more sticking power.
Since the closure, The Gateway Shelter has been serving more clients seeking showers, laundry facilities and hygiene products. And to help them serve the increased demand, United Way of North Okanagan Columbia Shuswap is pitching in with $2,250.
“Now with this funding from United Way we are better able to meet that gap that was created with the closing of the women’s centre,” said Kelly Fehr, manager of shelter services at Gateway.
Along with Gateway and United Way, the John Howard Society, Vernon Women’s Transition House Society and a few others are working together to fill the demand for services, But Fehr admits it is not a long-term solution.
“It’s just a band-aid fix.”
Linda Yule, executive director of the local United Way chapter adds: “We realize that this only addresses part of the issues arising from the Vernon Women’s Centre closing, however, there are groups actively trying to secure a ‘women only’ meeting place for the former VWC clients.”
The funds from United Way were made available after one of its funded groups did not complete their program.
“So we had some leeway to be able to respond to this emerging need in our community.”
