Waypoints, formerly the Fort McMurray Family Crisis Society, provides Unity House Emergency Shelter for woman and children and Sexual Assault and Abuse Programs & Services.
With May being sexual assault awareness month, this week they have been working in the community to promote their new campaign.
On Thursday, April 27 they broke ground on their new Unity House and CedarSage Centre that will be finished in the fall of 2018.
Unity House will be their replacement emergency women and children’s shelter.
“We have a 30+ year old building right now for Unity House, and it’s 36 beds in nine bedrooms which means dormitory style sleeping which is not at all ideal for people who have been traumatized.
The new shelter will have one bed per bedroom, more lounge space to write resumes and get on the computer and look for jobs, a media lounge for adults, a space for youth, a smudge room and more program space,” said Waypoints Executive Director, Michele Taylor, “It’s going to be a much more usable space for both prevention and intervention and also treatment from domestic violence and abuse.”
The CedarSage Centre will be the regions first sexual assault and abuse healing centre.
Fort McMurray- Wood Buffalo MLA, Tany Yao said that it was time to stop the hurting and start the healing.
“It’s so important for Fort McMurray to have these facilities. Domestic violence is an issue that is everywhere and these facilitates will be great to help a lot of trouble folks here in our town. We look forward to seeing the construction of this, it is long overdue,” said Yao.
Speaker of the House and MLA for Medicine Hat, the Honourable Robert Wanner was at the event during the tour of the mace.
“I think it’s part of the revival and rejuvenation of a community that has faced a lot of pressure over the last several years,” said Wanner, “I’m glad to see the Alberta Government is working closely with the local community to bring these kinds of services to the place.”
On Friday, April 28, 2017 Waypoints kicked off their “I ‘mustache’ you for consent” campaign.
During the campaign Waypoints will be going around the community teaching about the rules around sexual assault and promoting consent by teaching what is yes and what is no and the areas you should talk about when you are in an intimate relationship with somebody such as setting up boundaries and healthy relationships.
They also have an #IBelieveYou campaign which promotes believing the victims of sexual assault.
Waypoints will be having their “Party for Consent” on May 26 at Townhall.
Tickets are $20 and you’ll get burger, fries and a beverage.
If you are a victim of sexual assault, Waypoints has a 24 hour call line for information and support 780-791-6708.
