Nelson House of Ottawa-Carleton, a shelter for abused women and children, will re-open on Oct. 29 after being closed since May thanks to a group of women who brought it back from the brink of permanent closure.
“Our focus has always been to make sure there was a facility for women and children and that place was going to be Nelson House,” said board co-chair Barbara Carroll. “It’s just a great thrill, it really is.”
Nelson House was forced to close this spring because of financial problems and the lack of an executive director.
Carroll, along with a team of women, stepped up to ensure the refuge for many women and children in violent and abusive situations could continue to operate.
“At this point we feel confident that we can present a safe, secure, welcoming home for women and children,” said board co-chair Alison Campbell.
Mary Montgomery was recruited to be the new executive director.
“I had worked specifically with Aboriginal women and children, First Nations, Inuit and Metis so now working with [the] mainstream community [is] really exciting,” Montgomery said.
For now, staff members are busy working to get the shelter ready to re-open by getting groceries, setting up the children’s playroom and making beds.
With a report from CTV Ottawa’s Joanne Schnurr
