The YW Kitchener-Waterloo organization is closing its emergency shelter property at 84 Frederick St. in downtown Kitchener and selling the property to redevelop the way it offers services to women in Waterloo Region. The decision to close the shelter and transition all clients to a new location by June 30 is being made in part due to the high cost of maintaining the aging building. The CEO of the organization, Jennifer Breaton, mentioned that the building had outgrown its ability to serve the women they support. The YWKW plans to use the money from the sale to open two or three smaller locations across the region to better serve its clients and create a model that aligns with the needs of the women they serve.
In order to develop a new setup for its shelters, the YWKW looked at other new shelter models in the area, such as the House of Friendship’s ShelterCare and the Working Centre’s Erb’s Road setup. They also toured other facilities to gather ideas and inspiration for their new locations. Breaton emphasized that the organization took into consideration feedback from both current clients and those who do not currently use their shelter. They discovered that some women cannot consider moving into the current shelter space on Frederick Street for various reasons. By listening to staff and clients, the YWKW recognized the need to create smaller, contained shelters that are designed based on the needs of the women they serve.
The new shelter spaces that will be opened by the YWKW are planned to be trauma-informed, culturally safe, and rooted in evidence-based practices. These spaces will not allow for substance use and will cater to vulnerable women and their families. The organization aims to provide options and support that they were not able to offer in their current 66-bed facility at the Frederick Street building. The YWKW is working with partners in the community to ensure that all clients have somewhere to go before the shelter closes its doors. They are also exploring short-term and long-term support options for the current women they serve.
The timeline for the opening of the new YWKW shelters in the region remains uncertain. The board chair, Karen Coviello, stated that while they cannot provide a timeline at the moment, the organization is dedicated to ensuring that the new shelters are established as quickly as possible. The YW Kitchener-Waterloo has been supporting vulnerable women, children, and families in the region for 100 years and is committed to continuing its mission in a way that better meets the needs of its clients. The new model of two or three smaller, scattered sites is intended to improve the overall service and support provided by the organization. The YW Kitchener-Waterloo looks forward to transitioning to this new setup and enhancing the assistance they offer to women in the Waterloo Region.
