City and Welcome Centre Shelter Partner on New Emergency Shelter

Women and families experiencing homelessness in Windsor-Essex will soon have a new safe and secure place to go for shelter and support in finding housing. Today Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens was on hand with City of Windsor Commissioner of Human and Health Services Jelena Payne, and Welcome Centre Executive Director Lady Laforet, to officially announce plans to open a new shelter for women and families in early 2022 that will be led by the Welcome Centre Shelter for Women and Families. The organization provides short-term emergency shelter and transitional supports to women and families with minors who are experiencing homelessness.

“Establishing a dedicated emergency shelter for women and families was outlined as a key priority for our community through the City of Windsor’s 2020 Review of Emergency Shelter Services and, as a result of the contribution from the Province, the City of Windsor will create a new, safe space for persons experiencing homelessness,” said Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens. “In a year that has presented so many challenges for vulnerable populations, this partnership provides a meaningful example of what is possible when governments work together to find solutions that will make a real difference in the lives of people in our region.”

The purchase of the new building was made possible thanks in part to a $7.75-million contribution from the provincial government’s Social Services Relief Fund. Jelena Payne thanked the Province for their ongoing support during the pandemic and for the allocation of funding for the new shelter.

“While we recognize that the solution to homelessness is a home, we are excited for today’s announcement of the emergency shelter for women and families,” said Payne. “This is the first designated shelter for families in the region, and we are grateful for the provincial government’s investment to bring this long overdue initiative to fruition. This investment provides for a safe and supportive environment for women and families experiencing homelessness.” Payne also acknowledged the partnership and expertise the Welcome Centre brings to the operation of this project. 

Executive Director of the Welcome Centre Shelter for Women and Families, Lady Laforet, is optimistic the new location has many of the assets the centre was looking for to help the families they work with achieve successful outcomes.

“I think the new space will provide the advantages that we were looking for as an agency, which are keeping us close to the core where women and families are accessing services, and keeping us within walking distance to area parks that children can access,” said Laforet. “We look forward to building further relationships in the community and being a good neighbour.”

To emphasize that point, the Welcome Centre will enter into a Good Neighbour Agreement with surrounding residents and businesses in order to foster positive relationships. The agreement will help enhance neighbourhood safety and develop clear expectations and procedures for resolving concerns. It is also hoped that neighbours will build connections and working relationships with the Welcome Centre.

The Welcome Centre Shelter is an essential partner to reach the goals of the Windsor Essex Housing and Homelessness Master Plan, which seeks to reduce homelessness in Windsor and Essex County. The establishment of a new shelter facility for women and families addresses the community need for such a facility, as identified in the Review of Emergency Shelter Services report.

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