Agape House sees 30 percent increase in overnight stays

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This article was published 08/12/2023 (409 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Established in 1985, Agape House in Steinbach provides a safe place for women and children who are escaping domestic violence in Southeastern Manitoba. Classified as a small shelter, Agape House has 16 beds and operates a 24 hour/365 day a year crisis line. It is one of 10 women’s shelters in the province that provides support to women and their children. Typical stays at the shelter range from three to six months.

Although it varies from year to year, generally, between 80 to 100 women stay at the shelter or seek counselling every year. This year, there has been an increase in the number of overnight stays for women and children.

“Last year, our bed nights were 1,858 which is a higher number than we’ve seen in over eight years. So, our numbers are rising and our fiscal year ends in March so that was for last fiscal year. Currently, we’re just over mid-way this current year and we’re actually set to see a 30 percent increase from last year, which was our highest year in eight years. We’re definitely seeing an increase in need in our community,” said executive director Tracy Whitby.

The cause of the increase could be due to awareness of Agape House, coming out of the pandemic and the pressures that brings to a household, and the size of the catchment area. Agape House provides services to people experiencing domestic violence from Beausejour to the U.S. border and east of Highway 75.

“We serve the entire Southeast,” said Whitby.

Agape House’s core funding comes from the province with the addition of grants and donations. Last year, it received $1.1 million. This year, the amount received is unknown as there are grants and donations that are yet to come in. Whitby did say that there was an increase in funding from the province which allowed the shelter to double staff across all shifts.

One source of funding that the organization receives is through its Ribbons of Hope campaign. It sells purple ribbons from Nov. 14 to Dec. 8 at select retailers and people can also make a donation on Agape’s website, agapehouse.ca. November is domestic violence awareness month.

“Because we are seeing an increase in need, and because we are seeing an increase in numbers in our shelter and on our crisis line and all of those things, we’ve kind of outgrown our space. That is what the money from this campaign is going (towards),” said Whitby.

Although it’s in the preliminary phase, the shelter is planning on an expansion and Whitby estimates it will cost between $500,000 and $750,000.

“This will be a multi-year campaign. This is not something we’re going to achieve this year. This is something we’re working towards. This is one of our goals.”

On its Facebook page, AgapeHouseWomensShelter, Whitby said there is a wish list for items needed by the women and children who use the facility. Some of those wish list items are sleepwear and loungewear in all sizes, slippers, large bath towels and facecloths, winter jackets and boots in all sizes, and holiday treats.

“When you donate those items they go directly to our clients,” she said.