BACKGROUNDER
2008FOR0035-000372 March 17, 2008	Ministry of Forests and Range and Minister responsible for Housing Ministry of Children and Family Development
SPIRIT BEAR CENTER

Spirit Bear Center in Abbotsford provides 10 beds of transitional housing with support services for young Aboriginal women, aged 13-19, in recovery from addictions and at risk of homelessness. Renovations on the three-storey, wood frame, 28-year-old house were completed in February 2008. The house is located in close proximity to a number of amenities and near MSA Hospital. The first clients are scheduled to move in to the Center in April 2008.

 

Clients will be provided with meals, counselling, life-skills training and employment and education programs in an environment that incorporates Aboriginal wisdom and healing traditions.

 

Partners and Funding

 

• The Province provided a $1.2 million grant to purchase and renovate the building.
• The Real Estate Foundation of B.C. provided a capital grant of $50,000.
• Fraser Health provided a one-time capital contribution of $12,000.
• Sleep Country provided a donation of new mattresses for the development, valued at approximately $3,700.

• One-time funding of $350,000 is provided by the Ministry of Children and Family Development to cover start-up costs, including the purchase of furniture, equipment, appliances and fencing – as well as staff orientation and training.

• Health Canada, through its First Nations and Inuit Health department, has provided a one-time grant of $15,000 to fund nurse visits to the development once a week.

 

The Spirit Bear Center Society
Founded in March 2005, the Spirit Bear Center Society is dedicated to helping break the cycle of dependency on drugs and alcohol and the effects of physical and sexual abuse on young Aboriginal women. The Spirit Bear program offers an alternative to the streets by providing a traditional Aboriginal approach to healing.

 

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Media contact:	Laura Kohli BC Housing 604 439-8583 604 805-4960 (cell)	Lynn Ned Spirit Bear Center Society 604 864-0553
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