Shelter seeks aid

Press, 27 June 1989, Page 4

Shelter seeks aid

By

TONY WALL

Christchurch’s only night shelter for

women is in danger of closing and staff are turning to community groups for help. The Y.W.C.A.-run shelter, opened in 1986, caters for women, aged from 13 to more than 70, who have no home, no family support, and little money. Its staff are seeking the help of service, church, and women’s groups as well as various clubs. The co-ordinator of the shelter, Mrs Pat Payne, said yesterday that $70,000 a year was needed to run the shelter. She will approach community groups hoping to receive at least that amount.

Initially money came from grants and donations from organisations such as the Lottery Board, the Christchurch City Council, and Trustbank Canterbury.

When the shelter was opened it was hoped that long term funding would come from the Twigger Estate — a fund of $3 million. The estate, administered by the Public Trust, has so far released no money. The High Court has ordered a new scheme for distribution to be drawn up after it was unhappy with the original applications. Five women are now using the shelter. Mrs Payne said they would have nowhere to go if it closed. To ensure the shelter survived until the end of this month, 50 hours a week of paid staffing time had to be cut. This was 50 per cent of staff hours. There are four part-time workers as well as voluntary staff at the shelter. Mrs Payne said support would have to be immediate to ensure the survival of the shelter.