BACKGROUNDER
2006FOR0115-001119 Sept. 15, 2006	Government of Canada Ministry of Forests and Range and Minister Responsible for Housing The Salvation Army
THE SALVATION ARMY KATE BOOTH HOUSE

Since it opened in 1985, The Salvation Army Kate Booth House has provided a safe, confidential refuge for more than 4,000 women and children fleeing domestic abuse.

 

The transition house offers a supportive atmosphere to victims of abuse for up to 30 days. In addition to the basic necessities, The Salvation Army Kate Booth House offers a range of support services for women and children, including daily counselling, employment referrals, after-departure support groups, child care, children’s activities and a visiting teacher three times weekly.

 

The new Kate Booth House increases the capacity of the existing building by 10 beds, bringing the total number of resident beds to 22. To increase security, the new facility will have all bedrooms on the second floor and an underground parking garage, so women and their cars will not be visible from the street. During construction, services have been maintained at another location.

 

The Salvation Army

Since 1887, The Salvation Army has provided essential services and compassionate care to millions of people who have faced poverty, addiction, homelessness, abuse and other serious situations which they can not manage on their own. Today, The Salvation Army is the largest non-governmental provider of social services in British Columbia.

 

The Salvation Army’s mandate is to serve everyone in need, regardless of their race, gender, age, belief, lifestyle, economic status or physical or mental ability. The Salvation Army has a solid record of accountability and respectability in local communities and throughout the world.

 

Partners and Funding:

• The Government of Canada, through HRSDC’s National Homelessness Initiative contributed $920,000.
• The Government of Canada, through Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, will also provide $300,000 through the Shelter Enhancement Program.
• The Province of BC, through BC Housing, is contributing $400,000 towards the capital costs of the development.
• Variety the Children’s Charity provided $250,000 towards playground equipment.
• The Morris & Helen Belkin Foundation contributed $250,000.
• CIBC contributed $170,000.
• The City of Vancouver contributed $100,000.
• Additional funding provided by: Fisher Foundation, Raven Foundation, Sutherland Foundation, Vancouver Foundation, Southwest Contracting, North Growth Foundation, Chan Sisters Foundation, TD Canada Trust, Pacific Blasting, Laura Lee Armstrong and Don Jewell.

 

Ongoing Operating Subsidies

• The Province, through the Ministry of Community Services, will provide funding of $706,000 annually.

 

-30-

Media contact:	Cory Daubenfeld Communications Specialist BC Housing 604 439-4758 604 417-1298 (cell)	Helen Davies A/Director, Community Initiatives and Policy Human Resources and Social Development Canada 604 666-2859
	Captain John Murray Divisional Secretary for Public Relations and Development The Salvation Army 604 296-3821 604 551-5388 (cell)
For more information on government services or to subscribe to the Province’s news feeds using RSS, visit the Province’s website at www.gov.bc.ca.