A look at the message on one of the ribbons posted downtown by the Medicine Hat Women's Shelter Society and its volunteers during Family Violence Prevention Month in 2018. - NEWS FILE PHOTO
https://www.medicinehatnews.com@MedicineHatNews
Plans to renovate and add security and sprinkler systems to the Medicine Hat Women’s Shelter received a $50,000 boost on Wednesday as Rona hardware announced the local group a was among six charities across Canada earning building improvement grants.
The retailer’s charitable foundation announced $500,000 for non-profit groups to improve housing from the hardware outlets vendors to mark its own 25th anniversary.
“These funds will go a long way with helping to meet these needs for our shelter,” said executive director Natasha Carvalho. “We are very thankful to Rona Foundation’s Building with Heart program for selecting our shelter as the recipient for these funds. Our current facility was built in 1998 and since that time we have seen a huge increase in demand for our services and shelter space.”
In the spring, the shelter received $336,000 for the renovations from the province as part of the federal housing strategy program. A local capital fundraising campaign to fill in the budget is planned for the coming year.
Carvalho has said that the Phoenix Safehouse and other related properties have operated for about 25 years without substantial renovations or upgrades.
Along with general maintenance, the goal is to improve safety with a fire suppression system and create some barrier-free accommodations for clients with mobility issues.
Among other Rona grant recipients were Habitat for Humanity Manitoba, along with non-profits groups in Regina, British Columbia, Ontario and Quebec.
“(It) has become an amazing vehicle for solidarity… (to) make a real difference in the lives of the underprivileged with the funds raised,” said Josee Lafitte, Rona Foundation director, in a statement.
