PAN was so fortunate last week to have an opportunity for a written interview with Meagan Anderson, the Acting Director of Cedar Woman House. Cedar Woman House is a 24/7 staffed transition house for women and their dependant children who have experienced or are at risk of experiencing violence.
Poverty is often tied to the challenges faced by women and children living in abusive situations.
1. Who does Cedar Woman House serve in the community?
Cedar Woman House serves self-identifying women and their dependent children. We also have a couple of pet friendly rooms, helping to reduce barriers for women with animal companions.
2. Do you have to be First Nations to access Cedar Woman House?
No. Our program is designed around Indigenous values and practices, however we accept self-identifying women of any ethnicity who are in need of safe shelter.
3. Do you need to be a victim of physical abuse to come to CWH? Are victims of emotional and/or financial abuse able to access your services?
Our mandate is to serve women and children at risk of, or experiencing violence. We recognize violence comes in many forms such as physical, sexual, emotional, financial, etc.
4. How long can your clients stay at CWH?
We are a short term program, typically offering 30 day stays.
5. What types of supports are offered to residents of CWH?
We support women in reaching their own self-directed goals through access to safe shelter, regular goal planning sessions, giving women information, or doing referrals to connect them with relevant community service providers. As our program is designed around Indigenous values and practices we offer regular smudging, a cultural woman’s wellness group, and opportunities for cedar brushing.
6. What is the best way for community members to support CWH?
Community members can visit our website http://www.cedarwomanhouse.org to make donations to our program. Donations provide us the opportunity to offer counselling to women in house, as well as short term rental subsidies. Both of these things being of great importance to help women and children access safe housing, and work towards healing.
Unfortunately we do not have the space to accept donations of clothing or furniture at this time.
Thank you to Meagan and Cedar Woman House for their valuable service to our community.
To read more about resources for Women in Crisis, click HERE.
Poverty Advocacy Nanaimo 