LETHBRIDGE – Ten weeks pregnant, no job and no place to go. 21-year-old Ashley Quilty went to the YWCA women’s shelter in Lethbridge seeking help, but she was turned away.
“They said they had 24 beds, but there was 22 women staying there,” says Quilty. “The last 2 beds were saved for abused women with children.”
Ashley says she also tried the Lethbridge Homeless Shelter, but staff told her it was unsafe for a pregnant woman.
“If no one is allowed to access it because it’s not safe then why is it there,” adds Ashley.
Ashley was desperate so she placed an ad online looking for options and help from other southern Albertans.
“I think it is very frustrating that people are reaching out for help when they are so desperate and they can’t get it right away. I think we need to be in tune as society and a service provider as to what is happening in social media. We do a review of people turned away and if there were issues,” says Kristine Cassie, CEO of the YWCA.
The YWCA in Lethbridge says each year it turns down hundreds of women. It’s heartbreaking for staff, but it’s a sad reality facing many women’s shelters across the province.
“Unfortunately we see it too often. We turn away over 400 people a year. Usually our beds are full and we can’t accomodate what the needs are at that time,” says Cassie.
THE YWCA says January is one of its busiest months. In Ashley’s case the shelter was filled to capacity and YWCA officials say they always give the option to go to shelters in Calgary, Pincher Creek or Taber.
“We are a priority shelter and we need to take women that are at immediate risk of domestic violence, then it goes down the list of women without children to women with children in crisis to women in crisis which can include people who are homeless.”
Ashley did make some phone calls and eventually did find a safe place to stay.
Comments