By Andrea Nicholl
Support for abused women and children is in demand more than ever.
Numbers from the Lloydminster Interval Home Society show that programs, services and supports are being accessed by more in the community and surrounding area.
“When the shelter first started the numbers were there, they were very minimal tostart out with and now we serve between 350 to 450 abused women and children each year,” said LIH executive director Doreen McCaw. “Today we’re doing a lot moreto help them grow stronger and move forward.”
The LIH is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, recognizing changes and growth within the society, community and families in need.
The LIHS was founded by Dolores Cummine and Marge Nattress in November 1979. The home first opened its doors on Aug. 1, 1980, after the community bound together to provide a donated house, a $3,000 cheque from the Nelson Foundation for a year’s rent, community donations, volunteer aid, furnishings and the loan of a furnace. The board finally secured funding in December 1980 and closed for a month. When the home reopened on Jan. 2, 1981, it grew to include a paid director, two full-time day staff, one night person and a weekend relief worker.
With continual maintenance problems and growing need, a new facility had to be found. By July 1982, $40,000 was raised from corporate and community groups to make the down payment on the four-plex currently owned by the society. In 2001, a second stage long-term residential facility was added to the home. Following this expansion, in 2003, the Interval Home purchased Midwest Outreach Centre to house the IH’s programs and in 2004 purchased a building at 5109-51 Street for the Interval Store.
Marge Nattress is pleased with LIH’s continued support to those in crisis, but says she never imagined the temporary haven would become a permanent home.
“Of course, our hope is always that we would work ourselves out of business,” said McCaw. “The Lloydminster Interval Home has been around for 30 years and when Cummine and Nattress opened the shelter their hope was that it would be a temporary solution, 30 years later we are still very busy.”
The Society continues to provide safety, support and education to families and communities regarding domestic violence and has grown to include programs such as the child’s play program, building trust- making friends, new directions for youth, a parenting program, self empowerment for women, an outreach program and a public education program, among others.
During the 2008-09 year, LIH served 245 women and children. The society hired a new assistant executive director and has continued to develop and implement new programs and partnerships to serve the community’s increasing needs.
Operations are continually supported by volunteers, community and corporate donations and funding from Alberta Children & Youth Services which provides 60 per cent of the home’s operating expenses. In 2008 - 2009 funding from Alberta Children’s Services increased by $31,000 and the society’s internal fundraising profit also grew with a $40,000 increase in the Interval Store’s profit.
To date, the LIH has provided emergency shelter and support to 4,440 women and 5,956 children.