WINNIPEG — Almost 30 years after her 13-year-old daughter Candace was murdered, Wilma Derksen still feels the pain.
“The trauma of experiencing murder and violence and loss and disrespect can destroy people,” she said.
After decades spent in out of court rooms, she now wants to create a place called Candace House where victims and their families feeling the same way can go for resources and support.
“It’s a place that we will have the service workers coming, the police coming, the lawyers coming to meet the victims on their own turf,” said Derksen.
Sunday was the first of many fundraisers for the $1.5 million dollars needed to buy and service a house within 20 minutes walking distance of the Winnipeg Law Courts building by 2017.
“Where they can go and have a shower, where they can have a day bed, where they can go and nap because it is so traumatizing just waiting like that,” said Derksen who is still waiting for closure with a new trial starting this fall.
READ MORE: Candace Derksen’s mom surprised by new trial order in 30-year-old case
“We have the court house and we have the big house and we have the half way house but there’s no house that’s specifically for victims that addresses their needs,” said the executive director of Candace House, Cecilly Hildebrand.
Hildebrand also said the house will provide new research opportunities and open the conversation around addressing victim rights and needs.
“It’s a place they can go throughout their interaction with the criminal justice system… and then work with partners in the community to bridge those gaps,” said Hildebrand.
Shelley Marshall’s 20-year-old son was a victim of homicide in 2001. She wishes there was a place she could have gone to while dealing with the courts.
“There is no closure to a serious crime but what you want is to find that balance, to find that way of coping in the every day world,” said Marshall.
She is one of more than 30 volunteers working together to create hope for those dealing with the loss of loved ones.
“You need people around you that are going to say what is this all about for you,” said Derksen.
To donate and make Candace House happen, you can click here.
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