Women’s shelter head grateful for funding in Sask. budget

This year’s provincial budget elicited a variety of reactions, but not all of them were critical of the government.

Tmira Marchment, executive director of Sofia House in Regina, said she was “really pleased” to see operational funding for second-stage shelters included in the budget, which was unveiled Wednesday.

She said it’s the first time Sofia House will be a recipient of such funding.

“This is something that we’ve advocated for for a long time,” Marchment said, calling it a “really good first step.”

Marchment said Sofia House usually relies on grants, donations and community contributions to run its programming. The new funding translates into stability for the women and children Sofia House supports, Marchment said.

The executive director said she’s very happy to know the shelter will be able to continue to run, thanks in part to the incoming operational funds.

“It’s the difference between being able to provide services for women and children who are fleeing violence and having to cut them,” Marchment said.