TL;DR:
- Thanks to your dedication, we've reached 1000 signatures! Now it's time to take the next step.
- Waterloo Region has purchased the building that housed the now-closed women's shelter. They have announced that the co-ed shelter will be moving into this building.
- Tell the Region to re-open a women's shelter at this location. Just click the link below to send an email to the leadership integral to this decision.
Tell the Region: Reopen 84 Frederick as a Women’s Shelter - Just Press Send.
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Thanks to your incredible dedication, we've reached an amazing milestone – 1000 signatures! This shows just how many people in our community care deeply about supporting our gender-diverse individuals and women.
The journey doesn't stop here. Waterloo Region has recently purchased the building that once housed the women's shelter. They've announced plans to move a co-ed shelter into this location.
Now, more than ever, we need to mobilize and make our voices heard. Let's urge Waterloo Region to re-open a women's shelter at this location. This is a critical opportunity to address this gender inequity in this region's services.
Here's how you can help:
Click the link below to send an email directly to the Chair of Regional Council, the Commissioner of Community Services, and Engage Waterloo Region - edit as you wish, but all you have to do is press send.
Tell the Region: Reopen 84 Frederick as a Women’s Shelter - Just Press Send.
This is our moment to make a difference. We need to urge the Waterloo Region to re-open this site as a dedicated women's shelter. Your voice is powerful.
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Email Content:
Subject: Urgent Call to Keep 84 Frederick Street as a Shelter for Women and Gender-Diverse Individuals
Dear Commissioner Sweeney, Chair Redman, & Engage Waterloo Region Interim Housing Solutions,
As a dedicated resident of Waterloo Region, I am writing to express my strong belief that 84 Frederick Street should remain a shelter dedicated to women and gender-diverse individuals.
Currently, women and gender-diverse individuals only have the option of a co-ed shelter on King Street. However, they are frequently turned away from services due to this shelter being at capacity most evenings.
In a region with three dedicated men’s shelters, maintaining this location exclusively for women and gender-diverse individuals is essential. This step is crucial to addressing the gender inequity in shelter options, providing much-needed support to those who are currently underserved.
In creating a women's shelter again, we implore you to follow the “Human Rights-Based, Gender-Sensitive National Standards for Emergency Shelters Across Canada” to ensure it is a safe space for equity-deserving communities.
I strongly urge Waterloo Region to take immediate and decisive action to ensure that keep 84 Frederick Street remains operational as a shelter for women and gender-diverse people. The closure of the women’s shelter has already exacerbated the circumstances faced by these individuals, therefore, restoring this vital service is crucial to their well-being and safety in our community.
Thank you for your time, consideration, and immediate attention to this urgent matter. I look forward to your positive response and to the continued support of women and gender-diverse people in our community.
Sincerely,