Kinsmen Club of Medicine Hat members gather alongside MHWSS staff for presentation of a $250,000 donation.-News Photo Anna Smith
asmith@medicinehatnews.com
With Family Violence Prevention Month in full swing, the Medicine Hat Women’s Shelter Society is making great strides toward planned renovations.
On Tuesday morning, the shelter received a staggering helping hand from the Kinsmen Club of Medicine Hat, which presented MHWSS with a $250,000 donation at their outreach centre.
Club members consider it an opportunity to support a cause that “touches the hearts of all of us,” said Kinsmen Club president Emlyn Giles.
“The Kinsmen Club is committed to serving the community’s greatest needs,” said Giles. “And it’s clear to us that this project is one of the most urgent. The work (the Medicine Hat Women’s Shelter) does and the services they offer are critical to the wellbeing of so many members of our community.”
The funds couldn’t come at a better time, as the society moves forward with a need to renovate the emergency shelter, says executive director Natasha Carvalho.
“Not to be dramatic, but this is life-changing,” said Carvalho. “This is the biggest donation we’ve received so far for this capital campaign. We’ve been out there for a year now, sort of pitching and pleading and talking to everybody about it, so to have a service club step up and make that kind of a commitment is huge.”
The society feels blessed and thrilled, and is hopeful that this is a sign of things to come in regards to the roughly $6.5 million needed to raise for the construction, which includes much-needed upgrades to the 25-year-old building and enhancing the fire suppression system.
This donation comes directly on the heels of a significant request for funding to the City of Medicine Hat at the Monday council meeting, in which MHWSS made a presentation on their work in the city, and advised council of a formal application to the city’s Non-Profit Capital Grant Program requesting $2.8 million in financial support for the facility expansion.
During the meeting, Carvalho said they were initially optimistic about receiving external funding, but they have so far had difficulties finding support for the project, though they do remain hopeful that with continued advocacy, they will see the funding they need from higher levels of government.
“Violence rates continue to increase for us, for the police all over the community, and we need to be able to have a place that people can come to which is safe,” said Carvalho. “It’s not a choice, right? I can’t close the doors anytime soon, because this is an essential service.”
On the part of the Kinsmen, Giles said this commitment is not going to be the end of their relationship with the shelter, and that they’re happy to continue to support them and their needs for years to come.
“This donation is not just about a cheque,” said Giles. “It’s about giving hope, about rebuilding lives, and about creating a community where everyone has the opportunity to feel safe. Our 36 members are proud to stand with MHWSS in this important work, and we look forward to seeing the positive change that will come from the renovations of the Phoenix building.”
The Kinsmen Club of Medicine Had extended thanks to the residents of the city for supporting fundraising endeavours to make this possible.
