SSWC Office Ad Hoc Committee
September Update

Firstly, thank you to our community of volunteers and supporters who have stepped forward to offer encouragement as we look at our options with respect to the future home for our Centre (as the building we lease has been identified for sale within the next few years by the Town of Lunenburg).

Some concerns were raised following our announcement in July that we may shut down and we wish to assure everyone that this is not one of the options on the table. Second Story Women’s Centre has served women and gender-oppressed peoples in Lunenburg and Queens Counties for almost 40 years and it is our full intention to continue for many more.

Since our last update, we have been advised that the Town of Lunenburg has agreed to a renegotiation of our lease for two more years with an increase in rent and utility costs. We appreciate this additional time which will allow us to thoughtfully evaluate the way forward and to increase fundraising events within our community over the next months to offset this budget increase.

Internally, we continue to

• build and refine our needs assessment - identifying our needs and the needs of our clients and how best to meet them going forward;
• develop a cost/benefit analysis for each option being considered - identifying costing and other implications based on each option open to us.
• Provide regular updates to our clients, volunteers, supporters, staff, and board on our progress.

Please be assured, that once we have identified the direction we wish to proceed in with respect to our location, we will reach out to our supporters. Should you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact me or our Executive Director, Rhonda Lemire, through our main office.

Sincerely and with thanks,
Janice Bower
Chair, Office Ad Hoc Committee/
Board Finance Officer

---

Changes Ahead for Second Story Women's Centre
​July 2022

​Second Story Women’s Centre has rented a location at 18 Dufferin St from the town of Lunenburg for the past 9 years. This lovely old building once served as the town’s train (and police) station – and for us, provided a home with safe and welcoming spaces, including reception and kitchen areas, 7+ counselling or admin offices, as well as open areas for community connectiveness, youth activities, and development/wellness programming.
 
The town has recently provided us with advanced notice that this site has been identified for potential future sale. This news has prompted us to consider our long-term planning goals, including evaluating our needs for space, programming, and accessibility.
 
We are now in the early stages of considering our options; however, we would be interested in hearing from anyone that may be aware of potential location(s) in Lunenburg or Queens County that might “fit” the activities (and limited budget) of our small non-profit.
 
For further information or to discuss a potential location, please leave your contact information with Second Story Women’s Centre at 902-640-3044 and we will be in touch.