91原创

Ishtar Women鈥檚 Resource Society can now help women start their lives anew with the announcement of second-stage housing.

BC Housing has recently purchased a building currently under construction, and will convert it into 15 transition beds and a two-bedroom second-stage housing suite.

Second-stage housing provides safe, short-term housing and supports for women after they leave an abusive relationship or situation. Women typically move into second-stage housing after a stay in a transition house and can stay in the units for six to 18 months while they prepare for independent living.

Transition houses are staffed around the clock and provide safe, short-term shelter and supports, typically for as long as 30 days. Most transition houses are residential homes in confidential locations where women, gender-diverse people and their families can live communally.

BC Housing provided $2.9 million for the purchase and renos, and will provide $950,000 in annual operating funding. Once completed, the building in South 91原创 will replace Ishtar鈥檚 current 12-bed women鈥檚 Ishtar transition house but Libra House remains open.

鈥淲e have an existing transition house that is upgrading to this bigger, better one,鈥� said executive director Maureen Berlin.

The new building is 6,000 square feet and helps Ishtar meet the continuing demand for help. Berlin said it鈥檚 been in the works for a long time, 鈥淚 would say 30 years.鈥�

She said Ishtar, the first of the society鈥檚 transition houses, is small and needed significant work so the society worked with BC Housing on another solution.

鈥淏C Housing showed me several different sites鈥� I have to say they were very collaborative,鈥� she said.

She also credits 91原创-East MLA Megan Dykeman for her efforts to get this for the community.

鈥淚shtar Women鈥檚 Resource Society started the very first transition house in B.C., and as they celebrate their 50th anniversary, I鈥檓 so pleased to see the addition by our government鈥�,鈥� said Dykeman. 鈥淚shtar provides an incredibly valuable service to so many vulnerable women, children, and non-binary people here in 91原创, and these much-needed beds will expand their capacity to continue to provide outstanding supports in our fast-growing community.鈥�

Each space in the building will have a bathroom, shared kitchen, dining area and in-suite laundry. The building will also have a staff office, a common area for programmed activities, a fenced yard, patio, a double garage and air conditioning. Construction is expected to be completed by fall 2023.

The announcement coincides with the celebration of Ishtar鈥檚 50th anniversary. The society held a celebration in late June.

鈥淩ena Andronek, an employee of 30 years, created a wonderful slide show presentation about the history of Ishtar that played in the background as staff, clients, and local politicians merrily mingled,鈥� Berlin said.

Invited guests gathered at the Ishtar office and also visited one of the transition houses.

91原创 had the first transition house in North America, with a site opening on Jackman Road in Aldergrove on June 24, 1973, according to society history. Then, the house had the capacity to accommodate a maximum of eight women and children.

In the beginning funding came in the form of short term grants. The staff pooled the money and agreed to reduce their salaries and when the grant funds were exhausted, they volunteered their time in order to keep the doors open to women and children in crisis. Many sacrifices were made during turbulent and uncertain times, according to the society website.

Since its start in 1973, Ishtar has expanded services by adding the Libra House in Aldergrove. Ishtar now provides several programs and services for individuals and families, now able to add second-stage housing to its services.

鈥淧eople in B.C. deserve a safe place to go when they need it, which is why we worked with partners to purchase these new homes for women and children in 91原创 and the immediate area,鈥� said provincial Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon. 鈥淚 want to thank and congratulate the Ishtar Women鈥檚 Resource Society on 50 years of helping women, including transgender, Two-Spirit and non-binary people, and children find safe landing spots in times of crisis so that they can continue on the path to recovery.鈥�

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鈥� READ MORE: Transition housing society receives funding for more counselling

鈥� READ MORE: Diverse voices part of equity panel for International Women鈥檚 Day

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