Over three million dollars will be used to build housing for women and children who are fleeing violence in Hay River.
The GNWT will be providing $900,000 for the project, and an additional $310,000 w\is coming from Rio Tinto and Diane Haché, a retired Diavik Diamond Mine employee who raised funds by selling copper from wires previously used at the mine.
Once construction is completed, the “Family Support Centre” will have 14 available units for emergency crisis shelter for families in northern communities.
The Family Support Centre operates with an “open door” philosophy that is centered around community and is holistic in nature. In addition to providing a safe and secure place to live, residents will have access to in-house programs and services delivered by existing community resources in areas such as trauma recovery, abuse education and prevention, and life skills.
Construction of the new shelter began in July 2021, with completion estimated by fall 2022.
