Womanspace went to Ottawa!
The following news release went out on May 11, 2010
Womanspace Resource Centre has been invited to join 3 other womenís organizations in addressing the Standing Committee on the Status of Women regarding our recent loss of Status of Women funding.
Womanspace had been continuously funded on a project by project basis by Status of Women for over 25 years. On March 15th, 2010, we were informed that we did not get funding for phase two of a highly successful Financial Literacy Project for Low Income Women (phase one was funded by Status of Women). Financial literacy has been earmarked by our federal government as a priority, yet they failed to support a program that was actively working towards that goal. This begs the question “why?”
We were not the only women’s group that failed to secure funding under similar circumstances. The national outcry against this unilateral funding cut of womenís organizations has been heard, and on May 26th, 2010, we will have a chance to address this issue.
For more information, contact either Shannon Phillips at (403) 388-4356 (phillipshannon@gmail.com) or Tina Shingoose Fancy at (403) 929-0962 (tina.womanspace@live.ca).
Contributions Letter
The government has offered to pay for the flight of one woman from Womanspace to attend but we would prefer to send one staff and one board member. I think that our presentation at this committee will have a wider impact than just Womanspace and we owe it to the other women's groups across the country to make an impassioned plea for the value of funding for women's centres like ours.
I have asked a dozen friends to contribute what they can and we have gathered almost $400 in the last few hours. I am posting here to ask that if you are able at this point to make a donation to Womanspace that you do so now so that we can buy a ticket and start planning the testimony we will provide. Those who wish to donate can do so through paypal on our home page or by cash/cheque to Womanspace. Because time is of the essence we are happy to have someone pick up money or cheques from you. (We have no office hours since the funding cut).
Womanspace is not a charity so you cannot receive a charitable receipt. You will get a hug, a hearty thank you, and the knowledge that you are helping us Shout the F- Up!
Thanks,
Lisa Lambert
Womanspace Board Member
Message from Shannon Phillips
We anticipate being used as a political football by all sides - our focus will stay on the women we serve and the work we do in the community.
Our priority is to communicate to them that none of this is a political game to us, and their cuts have consequences for real people.
Our job at the committee is to show that our projects achieve their goals, ie financial independence and literacy for low-income women. But we are not naive that other people may have other goals.
Brief to House of Commons Standing Committee on the Status of Women
May 26, 2010
Womanspace Resource Centre
Lethbridge, Alberta
Shannon Phillips, Board Chairperson
Tina Shingoose Fancy, Staff Member
Speaking Notes
Shannon Phillips, Chair
Womanspace Resource Centre, Lethbridge, Alberta
May 26, 2010
