Increased Support for Women in the Strait Region

Starting this year, Strait Area Women’s Place in Port Hawkesbury will get more funding from the province to support women in the region.

Annual funding for the women’s centre will increase from $70,000 to $205,716.

It was established in 2011 as a partnership with the Antigonish Women’s Resource Centre to strengthen the outreach work of Leeside Transition House and to provide more prevention-focused services including a wellness clinic, free summary legal advice, referral supports for therapeutic counselling, and a variety of other programs.

The Leeside Society worked with community partners to grow the pilot project into a full-service women’s centre.

“The Leeside Society and their partners worked diligently to make Strait Area Women’s Place part of the fabric of the community,” said Kelly Regan, Minister responsible for the Advisory Council on the Status of Women. “This investment is a recognition of the important role Leeside Society has in strengthening programs and services to support women’s safety and economic security.”

The increase brings the centre’s funding in line with the other women’s centres across the province.

“Leeside Society opened Strait Area Women's Place in May 2011 and offers vital services to women and their families,” said Marina Martens, executive director of Leeside Transition House and Strait Area Women’s Centre. “This additional funding will ensure the centre will be able to continue to offer services in the Strait area for years to come.”

The women’s centre supports women and children from Inverness and Richmond Counties and parts of Guysborough County.