Safe space for youth in Winnipeg's West End in early planning stages
A 24-hour safe space for youth in Winnipeg's West End could become a reality if the Spence Neighbourhood Association secures enough government funding and donations.
The association wants to develop a space where youth between the ages of 12 and 18 can get support 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
The project is in the early planning stages and no location has been chosen at this point. The association estimates it would cost $250,000 to run a safe space.
Executive director Jamil Mahmood says whether the project goes ahead depends on how much funding the association can get from all levels of government and from agencies across the city.
"Our hope is that all three levels of government come together and support this," Mahmood told CBC News following a meeting on Tuesday evening to discuss the idea.
"I know the city and province have come together to support Ndinawe with their 24-hour safe space, so we're hoping that a combination of the city and province, especially if we get the feds at the table, that'd be great."
In September, the province and the City of Winnipeg provided $300,000 to help the Ndinawe Youth Resource Centre in the North End extend the hours at its drop-in centre for at-risk youth.
Mahmood said he hopes to have a plan and funding in place to see a West End safe space up and running by next spring.
Hundreds signed petition
The association started planning after 650 people signed a petition supporting the idea of a safe place in the West End where young people can go whenever they need help.
Kimberley Bouvett said she sent out the petition in October 2014 following the death of Tina Fontaine, whose body was found in the Red River in August.
A friend of Fontaine's said the 15-year-old was last seen alive in the West End. She had been in care of Manitoba's Child and Family Services system at the time of her disappearance.
Bouvett said she was in care throughout her childhood, too, and she wishes a 24/7 safe space was around when she needed it.
"There's a place for them to come and wash up, you know, talk to people, get some advice … maybe make a life change," Bouvett said.
"I'm 48 years old and I've made a life change, so I know that it can happen because I've lived that life experience."
