Interval House of Hamilton shelter announces new name on International Women’s Day
Interval House of Hamilton (IHoH) has been sheltering and providing services for more than three decades to women who survived abuse. On March 8, International Women's Day, the west Mountain shelter will be officially known as Victoria and Friends. Hamilton Community News recently spoke to IHoH executive director Nancy Smith about the new name.
The following is a Q-and-A with Smith.
Why the name change?
We have evolved from our original operation, which was an emergency shelter to many other programs like the Hamilton Women's Centre, Flamborough Women's Resource Centre, Jared's Place, MentorAction and Be More than a Bystander. All our programs have their own name, all under Interval House of Hamilton. This is an opportunity where we are now naming our shelter to have its own identity under IHoH.
Why Victoria and Friends?
We wanted to pick someone who is a known great leader for women's issues in our community and Victoria Mancinelli (director, communications, public relations, marketing and strategic partnerships at LIUNA, central and Eastern Canada) is that person. She has been very public as a strong leader and advocate for women's issues either with LIUNA in getting women in the trades and in the community. It was Victoria's idea to call it Victoria and Friends so she can invite other great leaders to contribute to supporting the shelter.
Can you explain the significance of making the name change official on March 8, International Women's Day?
International Women's Day is celebrated globally to recognize gender equality and women's rights and what better day than International Women's Day to honour a community leader in women's issues.
We understand LIUNA has made a financial commitment to Victoria and Friends and IHoH. Can you tell us about that?
They have been a big supporter for several years. LIUNA is giving us $250,000 over five years and they have brought in other sponsors. It will allow for some sustainability as we have to raise $700,000 each year for the essential work we need to do for women and kids.
The shelter has been around for 35 years. What services do you provide and what kind of demand is there for those services in the community?
The demand remains strong. Our emergency shelter is 26 beds for women with or without children who have experienced abuse, violence or human trafficking. Our community-based programs do outreach support. Be More Than a Bystander is a partnership with elite sports groups like the Tiger-Cats, Forge FC, the Bulldogs, Sport Hamilton and McMaster Athletics. We also do training with McMaster and Mohawk College security because of the high rate of sexual abuse on campus for women.
How has the coronavirus pandemic affected the way you provide those services?
Women and children's safety is our priority. Making sure we are doing our part for the health and safety of women, children and staff is an extension of what we do. Public health requirements are strictly adhered to.
How does Victoria Mancinelli feel about the name change?
While I am humbly honoured to have my name included in the emergency shelter, it is not about me, but in honour of all women in all spaces and we will continue to ensure that we eliminate barriers and empower a path forward, where critical resources are not restricted in our collective fight to end gender-based violence. Women continue to face significant barriers when fleeing from domestic violence, including child care, affordable housing, pets, employment and many others, and it is organizations like Interval House of Hamilton that are an integral part of our greater Hamilton community. Gender-based violence is not just a woman's issue, it's a human rights issue and an issue that impacts our communities, our households, our workplaces and many other aspects of our daily lives whether it is in front of us, or at many times, hidden." - Victoria Mancinelli