It was hard to find anywhere to stand in the Campbell River Women’s Centre on its opening day, Monday April 15.
The centre celebrated its move to a new location on Monday, inviting people from throughout the community to an open house and social event. The event marked the grand opening of the new location at the Eagle Harbour building in downtown Campbell River.
“We’ve been shut down in the other site since January,” said coordinator Lori Tait. “We’re so excited, it’s been a lot of work.”
Tait said that the new space is three to four times larger than before, with better lighting and space for people to come in and get the services they need.
“We get a lot of clothing donations, we help people with income tax here, and we have a lot of resources at our fingertips here.”
The event started with a smudge and prayer from local Indigenous women, and was followed by an open house where people could tour the new space and mingle.
“It’s such a big relief,” Tait said. “We have a lot of people who live in isolation, some who live on the streets and it’s a nice place to be able to hang out, meet other people and be somewhere safe.”
The Women’s Centre will be open Monday, Thursday and Friday from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m.