Female victims of domestic violence in Moncton will soon have a new place to call home, thanks to a generous anonymous woman.
A woman in the community quietly donated a multi-unit apartment building to Crossroads for Women about six months ago.
“We will be using it for women who not only have been through violence but may have issues of mental health and addictions,” said Tina Thibodeau, Crossroads executive director.
Thibodeau added that the building allows the organization to provide long-term housing for women who need it.
Crossroads recently received a $24,000 grant from The Human Development Council though the federal “Homelessness Partnering Strategy,” which will be used to renovate and update the building to eventually have five new bachelor apartment units.
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“We are really excited to receive these funds so that we can do the renovations so we can bring it up to code so that they can have secure, safe, healthy living,” Thibodeau said.
Donation comes at crucial point
Thibodeau says the donation comes at a time when finding affordable housing for women in crisis and their families is a challenge.
She says Crossroads for Women is having turn away 60 per cent of women who seek shelter at their transition house due to a lack of beds and housing.
“We will be able to provide them with supportive housing. It is long-term, and being able to support them with all the needs they have.”
Crossroads for Women’s mission is to ensure womens’ physical safety and provide them with the support that ultimately will help them break the cycle of violence many of them are trapped in.
The location of the building is being kept private for security reasons.
Thibodeau says she hopes the renovation will be complete over the next few weeks, with tenants moving within the next month.