MHWSS representatives pose Friday alongside MLA Justin Wright inside the Phoenix Safe House's construction site with a presented cheque for $1 million.--SUBMITTED PHOTO
asmith@medicinehatnews.com
The Medicine Hat Women’s Shelter Society is feeling extra optimistic for completion of renovations at the Phoenix Safe House after being presented a $1-million Community Facility Enhancement Program grant on Friday.
Cypress-Medicine Hat MLA Justin Wright was on hand to present the cheque to MHWSS, and says he was pleased to have his extended advocacy work for the project come to fruition.
“I had almost bi-weekly follow-ups with the Ministry of Arts, Culture and the Status of Women, just to make sure that we’re advocating the right way, following up on this project and making sure that it didn’t just disappear with a one-and-done kind of advocation,” said Wright.
The society had previously applied for a CFEP grant but was not successful. However, they were told to re-apply, something that has now allowed for significant strides toward the completion of the project.
“I firmly believe in the work that’s being done here, and it was such an amazing opportunity to advocate for the million bucks and be able to get them these much needed funds,” said Wright.
Executive director Natasha Carvalho says the society was taken by surprise by the news, but is beyond thankful to be awarded these funds toward vital work.
“We’re so grateful to MLA Wright, because I know he did a lot of advocacy for us. We had to put in the application, of course, but I know that he’s been really advocating for us down here and letting the ministry know sort of the importance of the project and why it was such a critical need for us to do a renovation and expansion,” said Carvalho. “We’re beyond thrilled.”
While the project still has another $4 million to raise, the number seems more manageable now after this grant, says Carvalho, not to mention the various donations received from organizations within the city. With the annual Bread & Roses Gala coming up soon, she is hopeful current momentum can be maintained.
“So much has been done and it’s really just coming together. So it feels like this is what we kind of need to make us feel like, ‘Hey, there’s hope we could get this done,'” said Carvalho.
