New location, new concerns for SafeSpace London
SafeSpace London — an organization that advocates for and supports women in the sex trade — has moved from a smaller location near the corner of Hamilton Road and Rectory Street, to the former Scotiabank site on the corner of Dundas and Lyle streets.
"The biggest change is that we are actually able to have people inside...[as] our previous location [was] far too small. [The] need [is] too high, [and we] could not safely have everybody inside,” said Executive Director, Jenna Rose Sands.
SafeSpace also now has the space to hold onto and distribute items that have been donated.
"We are seeing a greater need for, you know, children's items, diapers. We used to have those donated and we'd pass them along to agencies,” said Sands. "Now, we keep a lot of those families, you know, multi-generational folks coming, families coming in to seek supports.”
Ward 4 City Coun. Susan Stevenson visited the open house on Saturday, and has concerns about the readiness of the facility.
“We were told $650,000 for a women's shelter with 20 beds in 24/7 drop in. And I haven't heard, but my understanding is it's just a few afternoons and evenings and no beds,” she said.
Stevenson said she was told there has been a logistical issue in procuring the beds, but they will be added when available.
“I would still like to know how much money is being spent, how much has been spent so far, and what's the projected plan for it, knowing this was a temporary thing,” she said.
Sands said the first few weeks will be spent doing outreach to ensure those who have been supported in the past and those who are looking for support now, know where the new location is.
“I think it's going to be a bit of a slow crawl as folks are sort of sussing out things,” she explained. “Our teams are going to go out with outreach to start seeking out and reminding folks...‘Hey, we're over here.’”
According to the SafeSpace London website, the support centre drop in hours are from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m., and from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Deaths of 4 people on Sask. farm confirmed as murder-suicide
The deaths of four people on a farm near the Saskatchewan village of Neudorf have been confirmed a murder-suicide.
Grandparent scam: London, Ont., senior beats fraudsters not once, but twice
It was a typical Tuesday for Mabel Beharrell, 84, until she got the call that would turn her world upside down. Her teenaged grandson was in trouble and needed her help.
developing Bus plunges off a bridge in South Africa, killing 45 people. An 8-year-old child is only survivor
A bus carrying worshippers headed to an Easter festival plunged off a bridge on a mountain pass and burst into flames in South Africa on Thursday, killing at least 45 people, authorities said.
Calgary bridges remain closed due to ongoing police incident
Calgary police have shut down a number of bridges into and out of the downtown core as officers deal with a distraught individual.
Why some Christians are angry about Trump's 'God Bless the USA' Bible
Former U.S. President Donald Trump is officially selling a copy of the Bible themed to Lee Greenwood’s famous song, 'God Bless the USA.' But the concept of a Bible covered in the American flag has raised concern among religious circles.
George Washington family secrets revealed by DNA from unmarked 19th century graves
Genetic analysis has shed light on a long-standing mystery surrounding the fates of U.S. President George Washington's younger brother Samuel and his kin.
Sunshine list: These were the Ontario public sector's highest earners in 2023
Ontario released its annual sunshine list Thursday afternoon, noting that the largest year-over-year increases were in hospitals, municipalities, and post-secondary sectors.
Kinew, Poilievre meet at Manitoba legislature, discuss each other's priorities
Premier Wab Kinew and federal Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre met at the Manitoba legislature Thursday afternoon.
Biden OKs US$60M in aid after Baltimore bridge collapse as governor warns of 'very long road ahead'
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore warned Thursday of a 'very long road ahead' to recover from the loss of Baltimore's Francis Scott Key Bridge as the Biden administration approved US$60 million in immediate federal aid after the deadly collapse.