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The concept of the Women's Centre arose from an evening of conversation
with three women discussing the need for services for women and their
families in the North End of Winnipeg. One of the women took the
initiative to pursue the development of a preventative model and
establish a women's resource centre. In 1983 an advisory committee of two
community women and four agency representatives formed to secure support
and funding for the Centre. At a committee meeting in April 1984, a
steering committee was created to guide the development of the Centre.
The Secretary of State granted funds to carry out a needs survey, which
was complete by two staff and twenty volunteers in July of the same year.
The survey found the North End to be a diverse ethnic community with the
highest percentage of female headed single parent families in Winnipeg. Problems
in the community included: low income, high unemployment, low education
levels, poor housing, a high crime rate, and family violence.
Survey respondents stated that a women's centre should be established to
offer core value programming such as counselling, a drop-in, information
and referral to other services, educational programs, workshops, and
support systems or women and their families.
The Core Area Initiative provided a grant for two-year support of the
Centre, 1985-1987. A house at 453
Selkirk Ave was purchased and renovated, and
the North End Women's Resource Centre opened in April 1985.
In 1994, a decade after its inception, the North End Women's Centre
relocated to its current home at 394 Selkirk Avenue. NEWC receives
generous core funding from the United
Way of Winnipeg
and Family Violence Prevention Branch of Family Services, Province of Manitoba to continue the Centre's
essential programming today.
North End Women's Centre has been instrumental in community development
and mobilization ventures by providing support, in partnership with
sister organizations, to aid in the development of Wahbung Abinoonjiiag,
Oyati Tipi Cumini Yape and North Point Douglas Women's Centre's mandates.
The Centre also provides community support and development by inviting
community groups to access the Centre's space and referral services.
In 2002 North End Women's Centre purchased 382 & 384 Selkirk Avenue buildings. The 382 Selkirk Ave
location has been renovated into the current retail operation (The Up
Shoppe), and has developed four offices and two emergency housing units. 384 Selkirk Avenue
has been demolished to make way for wheelchair accessibility to the Up
Shoppe building and for additional parking.
The Centre has over 15 core project student placement and casual staff
who are all dedicated to carry forth the Centre's mandate. The Volunteer
pool consists of a committed Board of Directors, Up Shoppe Volunteers and
community women whom work in various capacities in the Centre.
The North End Women's Centre has experienced the loss of some very dedicated
staff in recent years. Even with these losses came new faces and energy.
The most recent change occurred when founding Director, Chriss Tetlock
retired in 2004. She left a legacy that has empowered women and their
families over the last 20 years and we will continue to support the
community she loves. We all thank you Chriss.
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