(Photo: REACH Regina Facebook page)
YWCA Regina has opened a first of its kind women and families centre. The kikaskihtânaw Centre for Women and Families is a 96,000 square foot community hub of wrap-around services for women, children, and families in need. kikaskihtânaw means “the place we all succeed” in Cree.
Right now, Saskatchewan faces the highest rates of intimate partner violence and sexual assaults among all the provinces. 90% of those victims are women and girls and Indigenous women and girls are six times more likely to experience violence.
The Centre eliminates obstacles that women and families face while trying to flee from violence by bringing essential services together in one central location, ensuring accessible care.
The $70 million Captial Campaign to build the Centre was possible through the support of government, donors, community, and partners.
“This facility represents a significant milestone in our mission to uplift and support women and families,” said Melissa Coomber-Bendtsen, CEO of YWCA Regina. “The Centre’s comprehensive services will provide a safe haven and essential resources for those in need, fostering healing, hope, and independence.”
The building features the following. Two floors of childcare, community multi-purpose spaces, social enterprises of a cafe and clothing store, access to drop-in supports and essential needs, communal kitchens, a full-time general practitioner, visiting practitioners, community programing, and indoor and outdoor play areas. On the Centre grounds, the Sacred Site, stewarded by All Nations Hope Network, offers ceremonial space, a feast kitchen, medicine preparation and storage rooms and a year-round sweat lodge.
“This Centre and the crucial work that will be done here was made possible through the collective effort of our community. Our donors, our staff, our volunteers – every single person that gave of their time, talent, or treasures, demonstrated a shared commitment to creating opportunities and providing safety for our city’s most vulnerable people,” said Chelsey Lemke, YWCA Regina Capital Campaign Director and Senior Director of Development. “I’m so honoured to be part of a community that prioritized making this happen.”
A grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony for the new centre was held yesterday.