April 29, 2021

MEDIA RELEASE- April 30-2021

Toronto, ON: In March 2020, the North York Women’s Shelter (NYWS) opened its doors to a new, secure, fully accessible, 24,000 square foot centre consisting of an Emergency Shelter and New Anne Marie D’Amico Community Collective. The Anti- Violence Community Collective was equipped and furnished thanks to a $106,400 Capital grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) in late 2019. Despite the pandemic, this space is providing essential programming support to NYWS residents and community in its first year of operation.

 

“I extend my heartfelt congratulations to the North York Women’s Shelter on the receipt of this grant” said York Centre MPP Roman Baber. “Now, more than ever, such spaces play a vital role in the safety of our community.  I am proud that the Ontario Trillium Foundation, through its Capital grant, is able to provide the needed funding to outfit and furnish this Centre,” he added.

Having the space to offer multi-service trauma informed offerings in one location has reduced the need for survivors of violence to travel, increasing safety from both violence and stalking but also COVID transmission. NYWS is thrilled to be able to offer this space to women and trans folks impacted by violence in our neighbourhood and look forward to full programming starting up full programing once it is safe to do so. To learn more about NYWS please visit nyws.ca

 

Funds from the grant were used to buy a new fridge, new tables and chairs, and to expand recreational activities by purchasing a musical instrument, creating a welcoming work-out space, and fitness equipment. In addition, new computers, a Smartboard, and additional furniture were added to the space.

 

“I would like to express my sincerest thanks Ontario Trillium Foundation for this grant. NYWS a been able to provide essential and Covid safe services during the pandemic through our new Community Collective. This has included trauma informed primary health care, mental health counseling, and a classroom space so that children living at NYWS can have access to education while staying safe from COVID in our “hot spot” neighborhood. Additionally, our exercise space and large multi-purpose room has provided essential and COVID-safe group programming for residents this year. We can’t wait to open it up to community members impacted by violence when it’s safe to do so,” said Mohini Datta Ray, Executive Director, NYWS.

 

The Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) is an agency of the Government of Ontario, and one of Canada’s leading granting foundations. OTF awarded $115 million to 644 projects last year to build healthy and vibrant communities in Ontario.

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Media Contact:

Mohini Datta-Ray, Executive Director

NYWS

416.638.7335 x120

mohini@nyws.ca