Investment In Pilot Program For Abused Women Means Better Access To Financial And Educational Tools
Program
Will Help Vulnerable Women Become Economically Independent
TORONTO, Sept. 21 /CNW/ - The McGuinty government is funding a pilot
program to help increase the personal security and economic independence of
vulnerable women, Sandra Pupatello, Minister Responsible for Women's Issues,
announced today.
"Giving vulnerable women access to financial and educational tools can
mean the difference not only between poverty and comfort, but between fear and
safety," said Pupatello. "By helping women to live free of fear and violence
and become economically independent, we are also building strong, safe
communities across Ontario."
The $308,160 investment is part of the McGuinty government's
comprehensive, four-year $66-million Domestic Violence Action Plan and is
being provided to the Canadian Women's Foundation for the implementation and
evaluation of a pilot program to be run in six centres across Ontario. The
pilot will build on work by the Canadian Women's Foundation to help vulnerable
women gain the knowledge and skills they need to lead productive, economically
independent lives.
"We are thrilled that the government recognizes the importance of
investing in vulnerable women's futures," said Beverley Wybrow, Executive
Director of the Canadian Women's Foundation. "The entire community benefits
when a woman has the skills, knowledge and confidence to be economically
independent and lead the life of her choosing."
The pilot will apply long-established community development techniques to
help vulnerable women understand key factors that will enable them to reduce
their vulnerability to abuse and poverty.
The pilot will run in six centres across Ontario: Maggie's Resource
Centre (Bancroft); Sistering - A Woman's Place (Toronto); Oasis Centre des
femmes (Toronto); Niijkiwendidaa Anishnaabe-Kwewag Services Circle
(Peterborough); Women's Place Kenora (Kenora); and WoodGreen Community
Services (Toronto).
