As a result of the generosity of the people of Prince George, a rural house set aside to help young at-risk, vulnerable women rebuild their lives is that much closer to becoming a home.
Contractors and other workers involved in the project have now donated more than 28,000 volunteer hours for renovations, there's nearly enough money banked to cover a full year's operating budget, and within the next two months the Making Ourselves Matter Services Society (MOMSS) will begin accepting its first group of six women aged 19-29 as long-term residents.
The pace of progress for the four-year-old organization, believed to be the first of its kind in B.C., has been overwhelming to Linda Liss, executive co-director of MOMSS.
"We're not open yet, we've got a month left of renovations, but the community support has been heartwarming," said Liss. "We've had over $225,000 worth of services and material given to us. We've had small contractors and large places giving different amounts and without each one of them we wouldn't be where we are right now. Our community is amazing.
"We're just under the $300,000 we need to open and once we have that money we'll be open probably within 45 days."
MOMSS received a cheque for $6,123 on Friday from Immigrant Multicultural Services Society, proceeds from an International Women's Day fundraising dinner held in the city on March 8. The event at the Coast Inn of the North was attended by more than 300 people who contributed about $1,200 to a toonie auction. The rest of the money was raised from the sale of dinner tickets.
The MOMSS home on the outskirts of Prince George will fill a long-term support void that exists for women with a history of homelessness, substance abuse, drug-trade dependency or prostitution. The six clients will live in the house for two years, then return to the city where they will continue to receive support from MOMSS volunteers for another two years as they contribute to community projects organized by the society.
"In the first three months after leaving a treatment of rehabilitation facility, the chances of relapse are significantly higher and MOMSS will be ideal for those who are needing that stabilization time after treatment," said Liss, a certified life skills coach.
"Our focus is on creating sustainability in their recovery because we're after a long-lasting change. That's what's missing right now."
To qualify for the residential life skills empowerment program, each woman has to be willing to live in a drug- and achohol-free environment, must show they are committed to living a healthy lifestyle, and demonstrate a willingness to break out of negative behaviour patterns.
Liss started the program with co-founders Darcy Cooper and Jacki Watts to serve women once they leave youth care facilities, knowing provincial support for their care ends when they become adults.
"The way our province is, they are expected to be be completely self-sufficient once they turn 19 and there isn't that transition process," said Liss. "They will be in a home environment here on the farm and we're just trying to adopt a practical and common sense approach to preparing vulnerable young women with the skills they need. We won't be having any visitations here for the simple reason that when the girls come, they have to be willing to give up everything to get everything.
"We're not a band-aid, we look at this project as the missing steps to succeed in life and we developed it from a mother's heart."
For more information go to momss.ca or call 250-964-9088.
