NLIS 6
September 29, 2000
Health and Community Services)

Shelter for victims of family violence opens in Marystown

A new shelter for victims of family violence opened in Marystown today thanks to a quarter million dollar commitment from the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador and the Government of Canada. The Grace Sparkes House, which can accommodate 12 women and children, will make a major contribution in addressing the needs of families throughout the province who have been affected by domestic violence.

The province committed $150,000 toward acquiring and renovating the Grace Sparkes House. The Government of Canada, through Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), provided the balance of $122,500 under the Shelter Enhancement Program, a program designed to address the emergency shelter needs of victims of family violence. The province will also provide ongoing operational funding of about $300,000 annually for the new facility.

Mary Hodder, MHA-Burin-Placentia West, who attended the opening on behalf of Roger Grimes, Minister of Health and Community Services, said: "The provincial government is very pleased to have provided funding for the Grace Sparkes House. With the supportive environments of shelters we hope that women and their children will find the help they need to address the problems created by family violence."

Alfonso Gagliano, Minister responsible for CMHC, expressed his support for the initiative and extended his congratulations on this special occasion. "Grace Sparkes House is an excellent example of the results that can be achieved when the federal and provincial governments, community groups and volunteers work together to ensure that the needs of families are met. I'm very proud of what our partnership has accomplished."

Early in 1999, the province of Newfoundland and Labrador agreed to provide operating funding for a new shelter for victims of family violence. Marystown was subsequently chosen as the site. In addition to the standard kitchen, laundry, and dining facilities, Grace Sparkes House is equipped with a security system and contains a counseling room, a common room, play space for children, a study area for school age children, as well as administrative offices for staff. The facility has been named in honour of Grace Sparkes, a well-known former resident of Grand Bank.

Many dedicated individuals on the Burin Peninsula have been working diligently for almost 10 years to address the needs of families who have been touched by domestic violence. Grace Sparkes, the guest of honour at the official opening, expressed her satisfaction in seeing the new project come to fruition. "I am deeply honoured to have my name associated with something as important as this facility for families who need help. Although I don't live on the Burin Peninsula these days, I feel strongly that I belong there and I feel very much a part of their community spirit."

Karen Hackett, administrator of Grace Sparkes House, said: "No woman or child should be forced to remain in a violent or abusive home due to a lack of alternatives. Grace Sparkes House provides an alternative here in Marystown to such situations. This is indeed a proud day for us and for the whole of the Burin Peninsula."

Media contact:

Carl Cooper, Health and Community Services, (709) 729-1377
Karen Hackett, Administrator, Grace Sparkes House, (709) 279-3560
Dawn Ring, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, (709) 772-5973.

2000 09 29 3:10 p.m.