City grants called key to survival of programs for vulnerable

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This article was published 11/03/2022 (1310 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Before it opened, Velma’s House staff expected the safe space would receive about 800 visits from vulnerable people in its first year.

Instead, there were nearly 5,000 visits to the Ka Ni Kanichihk program.

The level of demand was so high the organization has yet to fulfil its goal to offer around-the-clock operations, though it’s still seeking funding to do so, said project manager Amy Graham.

“It’s been a challenge. We do need more funding to be staffed adequately so we can fill out our shifts and expand the services… and be fully open and operational 24 hours a day,” said Graham.

Velma’s House is open Monday to Friday, from 9 a.m. to midnight, and on weekends from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. It serves women, and those who identify as women, some who have experienced violence, exploitation and/or homelessness.

Graham believes multiple factors sparked the high demand, including the timing of the program’s opening on March 15, 2021.

“I do think a lot of it does have to do with the pandemic. We did open (when everything had) sort of shut down… I (also) think it speaks to the fact there are very few spaces like Velma’s House within Winnipeg that offer this type of service,” said Graham.

The City of Winnipeg gives $150,000 to the program annually, which Graham said is essential to keep it running.

On Wednesday, council’s executive policy committee will consider a proposal to extend the grant until 2027, along with another for a youth safe space run by the Spence Neighbourhood Association. Both are set to expire on Dec. 31, 2023.

Velma’s House helps to meet people’s basic needs by providing meals, hygiene products, shower facilities and clothing, Graham said.

“The absolute basic needs are in constant demand,” she said.

EPC will be asked to refer two city staff recommendations for additional funding to be considered in the city’s 2024 to 2027 multi-year budget process. One would provide $62,500 to extend both programs until March 31, 2024, while the other would give $937,500 to support operations from April 1, 2024 to Dec. 31, 2027.

The city devoted a million dollars in grants to the organizations between 2020 and 2023, including $100,000 per year to help the Spence Neighbourhood Association run the West End 24-Hour Safe Space for Youth, which is also known as WE24.

Lin Howes Barr, executive director of the Spence Neighbourhood Association, said the city funding played a key role in helping WE24 open seven days a week, after previous operations were limited to Fridays, Saturdays and school holidays.

“(This) has really changed the scope of what we can do and our community’s ability to rely upon us,” said Howes Barr.

The need for services has grown exponentially during the pandemic, partly because many youth tend to work in restaurants and other businesses that were forced to lay off staff during the pandemic, she said.

“It sent a lot of folks into a higher state of need,” said Howes Barr.

WE24 serves unsheltered youth between the ages of 13 and 26 from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m., while additional day programs are provided by the neighbourhood association.

A city report notes the safe space received 23,600 visits in 2021.

“It is clear that there is an ongoing need for 24/7 safe spaces in Winnipeg,” the city report states.

Coun. Cindy Gilroy supports the call to extend safe space funding. The Daniel McIntyre councillor said these services are desperately needed to help the city’s most vulnerable residents, noting homelessness has become highly visible during the pandemic.

“This is a critical time. We’re seeing a lot more people who are homeless… (These services help) them achieve their goals, whether that be housing, whether that be education, or finding a warm place to be on that night … I am a firm believer that every level of government has a role to play (to address this),” said Gilroy.

Joyanne.pursaga@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @joyanne_pursaga