There were many smiles and tears of joy at the Fundy Region Transition House as a million dollars in funding was announced for the Second Stage Housing Project.
A large crowd gathered today for the Fundy Region Transition House Second Stage Housing announcement in St. Stephen. #981news pic.twitter.com/400XlSxnZP
— @981News (@981news) August 15, 2018
The Fundy Region Transition House will receive $240,000 to build a six-unit second stage housing facility in St. Stephen, $56,000 to build a common room within the building, and $704,000 in rent supplements for the next 20 years.
MLA for St. Croix, John Ames spoke on behalf of Families and Children Minister Stephen Horsman and Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Bill Fraser. Ames says it’s important women and children have a support system in place to help them through difficult and stressful times.
“It was always instilled to me at a young age that you need to look after those who are in a tough situation, those who are vulnerable. Too many times we hear about people in situations and often people turn a blind eye, or they say, ‘well, tough luck’.”
The Board of Directors at the Fundy Region Transition House are a happy bunch today with the announcement of $1 million in funding for the Second Stage Housing Project. #981news pic.twitter.com/0bdU4plkym
— @981News (@981news) August 15, 2018
President of the Fundy Region Transition House Board of Directors, Diane Ganong became emotional while talking about her friend and former director, Carol Ann Oblisky Nicholson, who passed only a few months ago.
“In honor of her dedicated service to the transition house and her unwavering commitment to women and children whose lives are disrupted by domestic violence, the board and staff have decided to call this house, ‘Carol Ann’s House’.”
Ganong says Nicholson’s quiet, behind-the-scenes support over more than thirty years has positively impacted many women in transition, and with this new housing alternative, she says Nicholson’s efforts will continue to benefit families.
(Picture, from left: South-west NB MP Karen Ludwig, MLA for St. Croix John Ames, MLA for Fundy-the Isles-Saint John West Rick Doucet, FRTH Executive Director Lynne Matheson, St. Stephen Mayor Allan MacEachern, Board President Diane Ganong, and FRTH board member Jackie Matthews)
