Lack of funding has forced a downtown centre for women and sex trade workers to reduce its hours.
New Hope Society in Prince George, a women’s only drop-in centre that offers medical services, food, clothing and support for sex workers, had to reduce their hours from five days a week to three earlier this year. On the days they are open, they’ve had to drop their hours from eight to six.
Jan Wilson and Maddie Wilson (not related), organizers of the centre, said they haven’t been able to procure as much funding as they have in past years, which all comes from independently sourced grants and donations. Because of this, they’re struggling just to stay afloat.
According to them, the lack of core funding means that they have less time to dedicate to their clients.
“We’re always searching, the amount of time we spend just trying to keep the doors open is tremendous. We could be spending time with the women, helping them.”
Inconsistency can also be a major problem for women who suffer from mental health issues, said Maddie, especially in the centre, which is at times is the only consistent place some women have to go. Jan said the changes have consequences for the women.
“The reduced hours means that much more time out on the street.”
“If you’re working, and you work at night, the shelters have restricted hours that you have access to them. So if you have to be in at a certain time, chances are you aren’t going to make those.”
By their estimation, the centre would be able to run smoothly on $70,000 a year, but right now, they sometimes wonder if they’ll even be open in six months.
“It makes me sick to my stomach to think that women wouldn’t have this space, it makes the women sick to think about it too.”
Jan said she estimates the centre sees anywhere from 15 to 30 women a day.
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