As the YWCA Cambridge continues to work on getting its women's emergency shelter operating, staff are hoping residents and businesses will support the effort.
The organization has released several ways people can make an impact.
Monetary donations, purchases from its Amazon wishlist of items, partnership opportunities and third party fundraisers are all options.
"We're well into working with both an architecture firm and a construction manager to get the space operational as a 24/7, 20-bed emergency homeless shelter for women in Cambridge," Rosalind Gunn, director of communications and advocacy for the YWCA Cambridge, said.
"The region has been an incredible partner in working with us to get these much-needed services up and running as soon as possible. We continue fundraising to furnish the shelter."
The organization is getting $1.4 million from the Region of Waterloo through its Plan to End Chronic Homelessness to build, staff and furnish the basement of Grace Bible Church in Galt for an indefinite term. It'll serve as the sole women's only shelter in the region.
The YWCA will operate the shelter with wraparound services for mental and physical health support through a number of partnerships with local providers.
Gunn said the goal remains to have it open by December.
At a council meeting earlier this month, YWCA Cambridge executive director Kim Decker indicated the shelter will operate under a "a completely different model."
Substance abuse is prohibited, and while staff understand it may happen, they'll be trained to deal with it.
Some councillors raised concerns citing experiences with other shelters.
Decker said Grace Bible Church offered their space because they shared the same desire to ensure unsheltered women in Cambridge wouldn't have to suffer through another winter with no place to go.
Collaboration and consultation since last fall included two lunch and learns attended by more than 200 people. A mail drop also went to anyone living within 500 metres of the church with feedback being completely positive and free of complaints, Decker said.
"We worked with our community partners to develop a different kind of homeless shelter model," she said.
"We knew if we were going to go ahead, we wanted to develop a model of service built on best practices and one that took into consideration the trauma facing women experiencing homelessness."
For more information on the shelter and ways to support visit ywcacambridge.ca
