Building Update

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