Homeless women's shelter opens in Iqaluit

Iqaluit's first homeless shelter for women is finally open, providing homeless women and their children a warm and safe place to stay.

The YWCA officially opened Sivummut House at a ceremony on Wednesday, although some women and children have already been using the shelter's services.

The shelter can accommodate up to 12 women and children. It includesfive bedrooms, as well as two bathrooms, laundry machines, a living area and a kitchen.

Shelter director Sharon Blades said the facility offers women much more than a bed and a warm meal.

"We are going to provide them with a literacy program, and that is going to be starting hopefully after the new year," Blades told CBC News.

"We do a fitness walk, which is around the circle twice a day or once per day. We support them in becoming more familiarized with preparing their meals, healthy meals, three times per day."

Iqaluit in need of women's shelter

Iqaluit has a shelter for homeless men, but not a similar facility specifically for homeless women.

In previous years, homeless women in Nunavut's capital city were forced to stay at the territory's abused women's shelter when they had no other option.

The YWCA, which also runs the abused women's shelter, recognized several years ago that Iqaluit was in need of a homeless women's shelter.

"We put some money where our mouth is, and we took some of our investments, we hired some people and we decided to connect with those communities," YWCA Canada CEO Paulette Senior said.

"That started back in 2006, when we spoke with some folks here in Iqaluit and decided to take a trip up and understand what some of the needs are."

Self-sufficiency key goal

Blades said the goal at Sivummut House will be to guide andsupport women to the point where they are ready to go out on their own, although she acknowledged that will not be an easy task.

"As long they have a fear of not being able to overcome their challenges, the ladies are going to come back," she said.

"It may not happen for everyone, but [we] hope that at least one person [will be] able to actualize going out, becoming self-sufficient, but also becoming a role model to the other ladies who are here."

Women who are on income support are eligible to stay at Sivummut House for now, provided that they can chip in for food, room and board.

Shelter officials say they hope more funding will come in so it can open its doors to everyone in need.

Among those who attended Wednesday's opening ceremony at Sivummut House were Nunavut Premier Eva Aariak, Education Minister Louis Tapardjuk, and Hunter Tootoo, the minister responsible for housing and the homeless.