SUNDAY

May 6, 1990

Women’s funds foun

CAPILANO-Howe Sound MP
Mary Coitins ... little bit from the
heart.

Mm SAD WEST Ver

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Classified 986-6222

NORTH Shore Women's Centre
coordinator Kathy Dornan
Surprised.

FEDS DIG UP TRANSITIONAL
FUNDING FOR LOCAL CENTRE

A FEDERAL government announcement Friday that $1.2
million in transitional funding will be extended to 74
women’s centres across the country, including one on the
North Shore, was greeted with surprise by the former coor-
dinator of the North Shore Women’s Centre (NSWC).

Said Kathy Dornan, ‘‘{!'m very,
very surprised and somewhat con-
cerned about the future — still
because it’s transitional and the
organization has suffered from this
three-month period of crisis.
There’s going to be a lot of
scrambling to see how we can ef-
fectively become a cohesive
organization again.”

Dornan said she isn’t sure if she
will take on the job again of coor-
dinating the local centre, which
was closed April 12 after the fed-
eral government cut funding {to
women's centres.

Although the North Shore centre
was closed, rent to keep the facili-
ty's office space was provided with
a $1,500 grant from North Van-
couver District.

Said Dornan, ‘This was really
for many people the final straw. It
has been an ongoing struggle since
Day One. Operating on the measly
budget that we have had has been
so. difficult and = stressful on
everyone concerned. in some ways
it felt like a relief or blessing (the
closure). b think people will think
twice about becoming involved in
another potentially very difficult
situation.”

The centre fost its $16,000
operational funding after Secretary
of State spending for women’s
programs was reduced earlier this
year by $1.6 ruillion across the
country. And after 1S sears of ser-
vive, the local women’s centre was
forced to clase its doors.

According to Dornan, the
NSWC was often the first stop for
women with concerns regarding
child care, housing of employ-

INSIDE: x
COCKTAILS &

By MICHAEL BECKER
News Reporter

ment. The centre was also active in
lobbying for the provision and ac-
cessibility of women’s programs
locally.

At the time of the funding cut
Capilano-Howe Sound MP Mary
Collins, the minister responsible
for the status of women, said she
encouraged women’s centres {to
look to the community for future
funding.

But said Collins Friday, *‘We've
got to give more time. Women's
centres were not in a position to
find money at the drop of a hat. In
that sense it was a change of heart
and maybe it was a litte bit from
the heart too."’

One-year transitional funds will
be extended to women’s centres
funded under the women's pro-
gram. The $1.2 million announced
Friday came from other federal
government programs, but Collins
declined to say which ones.

An additional year will be made
available to centres that have
managed to secure provincial
funding support. The federal gov-
ernment announced it will match
second-year transitional funding
for provincially-supported centres.
B.C. has commitied $250,000 to
support women’s centres this year.

Said North Shore Crisis Services
Society (Emily Murphy House)
coordinator Valerie Atyeo of the
(ransitional-funding announce:
ment, “Wei were feeling the
pressure of the close-down, We
were wetting an increase in calls.”

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AVIAR: 18

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NEWS photo ery Peters
SALVATION ARMY lieutenant Mrs. Donna Bond receives a donation from Ann
Marteniuk of North Vancouver. The Salvation Army will be holding its Red Shield

Appeal fundraising blitz Monday night. Canvassers will be calling door-to-door asking
for donations for the charity.

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