Richmond Hill
November 15, 2008 11:09 PM
Women who are suffering domestic abuse will soon have another safe place to go — this one in southern York Region.
Sandgate Women’s Shelter in Georgina obtained property last week to open a crisis shelter in Richmond Hill. Doors are set to open April 1, 2009.
It will be the first shelter to service the fast-growing southern York Region.
There are two other crisis shelters in York Region — Sandgate’s first house in Georgina and the Yellow Brick House in Aurora.
Jehan Chaudri, Sandgate’s executive director, says the new house in Richmond Hill with 10 beds for women and children will be smaller than Sandgate’s Georgina house, but clients will still be able to access all Sandgate services.
Women who are escaping abuse will be able to contact a counsellor 24 hours a day. Once they have been accepted at the shelter, they will receive counselling to help with transition plans and have access to the Let’s Talk program for children who have experienced violence against women.
Sandgate also provides “pre-crisis support,” outreach and prevention programs, as well as “post-crisis” transitional support and “second stage” housing apartments.
Ms Chaudri says Sandgate has been aware since first opening in Georgina in 1992 that there was no crisis bed space in southern York Region, despite the area’s fast growth.
“After opening our Community Programs space in Markham in 2006, it became even clearer that we must address this inadequacy.”
Ms Chaudri said because Sandgate offers services in 18 languages, the new Richmond Hill shelter will be well-equipped to meet the multicultural needs of southern York Region.
Sandgate will continue to operate its Community Programs spaces in Markham and Keswick and the Transition House in Sutton West. Sandgate operates a 24-hour crisis line. If you need immediate help, call 905-722-3220 or 1-800-661-8294.