The board overseeing the operations of the temporary shelter is purchasing the former Life Centre Church, which once hosted a homeless shelter before it closed in 2016.
Paul Vanderlaan, a volunteer with the shelter board, said the board of directors will purchase the building for $60,000 which is due in April 2018.
“This is very exciting,” he said. “We are grateful to the Pentecostal Church of Canada for this. They have given a very fair price on the property knowing full well that the premises will be used for community functions. There are a few repairs that will need to be done once purchased to make the building safe and functional. We have decided as well that New Glasgow would be a great area for the shelter taking in consideration that this shelter is for all in Pictou County and persons passing through on the 104 highway.”
The new shelter will be named the Viola’s Place Society after Viola Desmond, a Halifax businesswoman who took a stand against racial segregation in 1946 when she refused to sit in an area designated for blacks at a New Glasgow movie theatre.
“As a grave social injustice was done to Viola in our community we felt it would be fitting to honour Viola by naming our society, which will take care of other social injustices in our community such as: homelessness, people going hungry and lack of affordable housing for all. It will take support from everyone in Pictou County to ensure we honour her memory well,” he said.
The board is currently waiting for its charitable status to be approved so that it can start collecting donations from individuals or businesses that require a receipt. It has also created a vision statement that says its mission is “to offer empowering opportunities, hope, security, housing, meals and supportive services in a safe environment.”
After LifeShelter closed in October 2016, there was a public outcry for a temporary shelter and the shelter committee put the word out to the surrounding community and churches.
Vanderlaan said First Baptist Church put together a program to assist those in need, which is open Wednesdays from 7 p.m. to Thursday 7 a.m. They are providing a safe shelter with beds and meals to help any adult in need of assistance in or passing through the Pictou County area.
Board president Karen MacPhee said new and former volunteers with the LifeShelter are encouraged to contact Viola’s Place Society to lend a helping hand. The goal is to have the new shelter open seven days a week.
“Right now our greatest demand will be volunteers as we get up and running,” she said, adding that some work will be need to be done to the building so people wanting to volunteer their skills are also welcome to contact the society.
“This is what I envision for the shelter,” she said. “They don’t have a homey feel and I would love to see if people in the community, into making quilts, something that would make it feel homey to people and bring the love into the place,” she said, adding that it may be quilts, photos, paintings. “Anything decorative. When a person comes in and sees that people care about them, that will uplift them a bit.”
Vanderlaan said the citizens of Pictou County said they wanted the shelter so now is the time to step up.
“Without all of the citizens of Pictou County on board we cannot move forward. So please consider what you are able to give whether it be finances, time or skills. This community has the biggest heart as it has been shown over and over again when someone is in need. So please consider this and the ones that this shelter will be serving in our community and as well travelling through.”
The board has set a fundraising goal of $65,000 and donations can be accepted at any Scotia Bank.
A Go Fund Me that people can donate to. The link is: https://www.gofundme.com/ViolasPlaceSociety
Any questions can be directed to: [email protected]
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/violasplacesociety/
Website: www.violasplacesociety.com
