For decades, the Yellowknife Women’s Society, the Centre for Northern Families, and the Yellowknife Women’s Centre were names used interchangeably to refer to both the organization and the building on Franklin Avenue where all programs and services were offered. However, as both community need and organizational capacity grew, it was clear that this building was bursting at the seams, with limited office space and no capacity for new programs.
To address the growing need for more space, a new building was purchased in 2016, and after nearly a year of renovations, the Centre for Northern Families, encompassing our daycare and our family support programs, was moved to our new location on 54th Street in April 2017. The existing building on Franklin Avenue was renamed the Yellowknife Women’s Centre, with a new logo and sign out front, based on the recommendations of our shelter residents. The Yellowknife Women’s Centre houses our shelter for women, and, since December 2017, eight single-room occupancy rental units for women. Additionally, the Yellowknife Women’s Society began operating the Yellowknife Housing First Program in October 2016, the Yellowknife Street Outreach Van in July 2017, and the Yellowknife Work Ready Program in August 2017.
Most recently, the society purchased a former motel to house our newest program, Spruce Bough Permanent Supported Living. All of these programs are run from an office at the Spruce Bough location, 4115 Franklin Ave. The Yellowknife Women’s Society is the legal entity that owns and operates these agencies and programs, and the Executive Director is responsible for the general administration and oversight of all the activities that occur under the auspices of this organization.