The Welcome Centre Shelter for Women and Families is launching a fundraising campaign this Family Day weekend so that it can open a special place for kids living in an emergency shelter.
It hopes to raise $10,000, which, matched with a $15,000 grant from the estate of community activist Pat Noonan, will be used to buy a portable classroom.
"There is a lot of research confirming what we see every day. Accessing and residing in shelter has a lot of negative longer-term impacts on kids," said Executive Director, Lady Laforet. "We've been addressing that with some weekend pop-up ki space, but this is a great next step in terms of creating something more stable and permanent."
The classroom, called "Patsy's Place," will be the first designated space in the community for kids aged one to 15 who are living in an emergency shelter.
According to data compiled by the centre last year, the number of children accompanying their caregivers into the emergency shelter has increased by 100 per cent since 2016. At the end of last year, there were 403 children 15 and under living there.
The centre said the lack of space and programs has been "difficult for the agency to witness."
"I'd like to think that Pat would be proud of what we are doing here," continued Laforet. "Seeing Pat's name and face on the door on opening day is enough to keep us moving ahead and getting this done as soon as possible."
Anyone who wants to donate can do it by making an online donation on the centre's website, through www.canadahelps.org, or by sending cash or a cheque to the Welcome Centre Shelter, 263 Bridge Ave. Windsor N9B 2M1.
Pat Noonan was a well-known community activist, feminist, and supporter of the centre. She passed away in August 2018.