WISH

November 12, 2008

WISH opens new shelter

By IRWIN LOY, 24 HOURS

When Kate Gibson opens the doors at the new WISH women's shelter tonight, it will be the realization of a dream five years in the making.

That's how long it's been since her group received a $1-million award from Vancity that was to have seen WISH open its first standalone drop-in centre for survival sex-trade workers.

Instead, soaring real estate prices and intense concern about the shelter from local businesses and residents meant WISH would look at 17 different sites before finding the right fit: An expansive 325-square-metre space above a police garage on Alexander Street.

Compared to the small room in the First United Church that WISH had been using for two decades, it's a significant change.

"It's like night and day," said Gibson, WISH's executive director.

The purpose-built space has a lounge area, a kitchen and dining room, a health centre and other amenities for use by the more than 100 women who are expected to drop by every night.

"It's a safe place for the women," Gibson said.

The next goal for WISH is to expand its hours to include Saturdays and open beyond the current 6-11 p.m. timeslot dictated by its finances.