Cambridge Bay’s 1st transition home for females is ready to open soon

Key takeaways: 

• ‘We’re giving them that feeling of chance in the community and offering them a safe space,’ states the president.
• The transitional house for women in Cambridge Bay, Nunavut, will have space for three women transitioning out of the shelter. 
• The women will be able to remain there for roughly two years.

The Kitikmeot Friendship Society declared its latest pilot project — a transitional home for females in Cambridge Bay, Nunavut.

It’s expected to support women break out of the cycle of domestic brutality and homelessness.

Kendall Aknavigak, the president of the Kitikmeot Friendship Society, states the program is meant to be a stepping stone for helpless women to get their own houses.

“We are in such necessity of housing in Nunavut and Kitikmeot,” Aknavigak stated.

“Many women in our societies are facing a lot of homelessness problems. And this is very dangerous to them … they can begin to be abused, neglected, and mistreated.”

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She said a society member who had the concept of transitional housing came to the organization. Work started on it the previous August. They were approved for a grant from partners by December, including the federal and territorial governments, Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated, and CHOU Consulting and Development Inc.

The home will have space for three females who are transitioning out of the shelter and who will be able to stay there for around two years. The Arnat Qimavik Women’s Shelter has space for about four people right now, Aknavigak said.

‘A secure space’

Women who are going into transitional accommodation will also learn life skills while there, like individual budgeting, learning how to pay rent, cooking, meal prepping, and washing.”We’re offering them that sense of possibility in the neighborhood and a safe space,” Aknavigak stated.

Charles Zikalala, the society’s director of operations, calls the transitional home “too vital.”

Source – cbc.ca