Revamped women's centre focuses on collaboration

The Sudbury Women's Centre isn't the same organization it used to be — literally.

A year ago, the organization — which used to be known as the Sudbury Women's Centre/Centre des Femmes — reincorporated. It is now known simply as the Sudbury Women's Centre.

“We're a new entity,” board member Barbara Burton explained.

The change was made in the wake of a controversy which surrounded the layoffs of the old centre's two staff members in the fall of 2010 and a revelation by its board of directors that the centre was running a deficit.

Several protests were held by centre members unhappy about the changes.

This faction of members challenged the legitimacy of the organization's governance, even electing their own board of governors. Several women later resigned from the splinter group's board.

The women's centre was kept open — albeit with reduced hours — with the help of volunteers.

Last summer, the Sudbury Women's Centre, still located at 324-F Elm St. West, was able to secure funding from the Ontario Women's Directorate to rebuild the organization.

It is now open 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday, with a lunch break from 12 to 1 pm.

Burton said part of the reason for the reincorporation is the organization has a “different philosophy” than the previous women's centre.

“The mission statements are similar, as is any feminist organization,” she said.

“But I think we go about dealing with the work that needs to be done in the community differently, and that we're working hand-in-hand with the other sister agencies in town.

“We encourage a back and forth. If a woman needs different services, we know where to go, there's a hub and spokes going out where we can refer those women to. We rely heavily on other services in the community, and we hope they rely on us, too.”

The Sudbury Women's Centre also has two new staff members.

Program administrator Kelly Sinclair, and program assistant Monique Blais, who have been working for the centre since October, met with Northern Life before the organization's March 1 open house.

“Since our reopening, it's been extremely positive,” Sinclair said.

“The community agencies have been extremely welcoming and very happy that the centre is back on a full-time basis. Definitely their clients have expressed that this is a centre that was needed.”

For the last six months, Sinclair and Blais have been busy getting the organization's programs up and running.

They run workshops on topics such as reentering the workforce and domestic violence, and help women at risk of violence to create safety plans.

Burton, a local lawyer, runs legal clinics at the centre once a week.

“She sees women on an individual basis to go over any sort of legal matters they may have,” Sinclair said.

A room in the centre which offers free used clothing is also up and running. It is open Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, and at the request of clients.

“I think the clothing room acts as a really good starting point when women come in,” she said.

“They're comfortable to go in there. It gives us the opportunity to go in, speak with them, see what their needs are, and help them find what they're looking for. That often turns into talking more about our services here, maybe registering for workshops or showing interest in other things.”

They've also started a drop-in program for at-risk women, such as those involved in the sex trade, who need a “safe place” to come. The centre is open every Thursday night from 6 to 11 p.m.

“They can also access all of the resources we have here at the time, whether that be clothing or referrals, or simply sitting down, watching TV, getting something hot to eat, and taking a break,” Sinclair said.

She stresses, however, that the Sudbury Women's Centre is open to all women, not just for those who are marginalized.

“We're doing things like starting up yoga classes,” Sinclair said. “We have a volunteer who is interested in teaching sewing. Also, if women in the community wanted to start up a support group, they could use our centre for free.”

Burton said she thinks what happened with the old centre was initially damaging to the organization.

“But I think with the new centre and how well we've been doing, we've managed to overcome any leftovers from the past,” she said.

“When people come in here, they're so pleased with how the staff deals with them, and they're happy to have the services we provide.”

For more information about the Sudbury Women's Centre, phone 705-673-1916 or visit sudburywomenscentre.com.

Posted by Mark Gentili