OTTAWA – Nelson House staff, members of Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) Local 3851, will be holding a community meeting this Thursday, May 31 as they invite supporters to come and help reopen the shelter from closure.
On Friday, May 25, the Board of Directors of Nelson House, a shelter for women and children, announced that the shelter would close, effective immediately. Nelson House provides temporary safe housing and support services for women and children fleeing violence and is a key resource in our community providing supports to women survivors of violence.
“Shutting down a shelter that provides vital refuge and care for women in Ottawa is alarming,” said CUPE 3851 President Keri Lewis. “The long-term implications of the temporary or permanent closure of this key resource will have an impact on our community as a whole. We need the community’s help to find ways we can advocate to get Nelson House reopened and the services we deliver restored…women and children depend on it.”
WHO: Nelson House staff, members of CUPE 3851
WHEN: Thursday, May 31 at 7 p.m.
WHERE: Hintonburg Community Centre, 1064 Wellington Street West, Ottawa
WHY: Join staff and community allies as they work together to find ways to reopen the shelter!
For more information, please contact:
Keri Lewis, CUPE 3851 Co-President: (613) 862-9164
Zahra Alam, CUPE 3851 Co-President: (613)601-1815
Tony Cristiano, CUPE National Representative: (613) 282-4814
Marjorie Savoie, CUPE Communications: (613) 864-9924