Human Resources, Labour and Employment
Executive Council
February 15, 2011

Marguerite’s Place Receives Operational Funding

The St. John’s Status of Women Council (SJSWC) received $350,000 from the Provincial Government today to help make one of its foremost projects a reality. The Honourable Darin King, Minister of Human Resources, Labour and Employment and Lead Minister for the Poverty Reduction Strategy, was joined by the Honourable Susan Sullivan, Minister Responsible for the Status of Women, to announce the funding in support of the council’s Marguerite’s Place project.

“The purpose of this funding is to support the day-to-day activities at Marguerite’s Place, a fantastic new community resource that will provide programs and services aimed at promoting housing stability for women in vulnerable circumstances,” said Minister King. “The Provincial Government is pleased to support the development of such important new infrastructure, and looks forward to seeing the benefits it will bring.”

Marguerite’s Place is named in memory of Marguerite Dyson, a volunteer and friend to many, whose life was lost to violence while living in unsafe conditions.

“This is a very positive step for the women’s community,” said Minister Sullivan. “I congratulate the St. John’s Status of Women Council on taking a leadership role in creating and delivering such a valuable service. We, as a government, share their commitment to providing supportive housing opportunities designed specifically for women.”

When construction is completed, this fully accessible location will provide eight supportive housing units that will be run by the council, and will also offer support programming through the St. John’s Women’s Centre. The facility is currently in the final stages of completion and is located at the corner of Cashin Avenue extension and Campbell Avenue.

“I have worked on this file for the past couple of years and I am happy to see the new facility coming to fruition,” said the Honourable Shawn Skinner, Minister of Natural Resources and MHA for St. John’s Centre. “The work of the St. John’s Status of Women Council is very important, and I want to thank all funding partners for providing the opportunity for the council to continue its good work.”

Marguerite’s Place is the latest in a list of major projects by the St. John’s Status of Women Council, an organization that has been engaged in research and advocacy for more than 30 years.

“The experiences of Marguerite and other women encouraged us to make housing a focus of our efforts,” said Charmaine Davidge, Executive Director of the St. John’s Status of Women Council. “To see this project so close to completion is exciting, as it will create positive and enduring change for so many people. I thank the Provincial Government for providing the operational funds that will make this positive change possible, and I look forward to opening the facility in May.”

Today’s funding announcement is in addition to the $200,000 investment that was made by the Provincial Government in the fall of last year toward the cost of constructing the facility. The operational funding announced today was provided through the Supportive Living Community Partnership Program that was introduced in 2009. This program provides operating grants to non-profit organizations so they can create programs and facilities that address issues related to housing and homelessness. The program is one of more than 80 ongoing initiatives under the provincial Poverty Reduction Strategy, which was launched in 2006 as a government-wide approach to promoting self-reliance, opportunity, and access to key supports for persons vulnerable to poverty.

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2011 02 15                                                       10:45 a.m.