From Crossroads for Women Facebook Page.
When Crossroads for Women opened their first transition house in 1981, it consisted of just four bedrooms, with the capacity to hold about a dozen women.
Now, 40 years later to the day, they have 18 bedrooms that accommodate 41 women and their families.
“When we started, very few people had any awareness that it was a real and serious problem here in the Greater Moncton Area,” said Crossroads co-founder Huberte Gautreau.
Crossroads for Women has spent 40 years creating paths of safety for victims of domestic violence. Along the way, they have found methods to provide better service and keep up with the changing times through in-house support programs and a 24/7 text line.
However, the need for services that transition women and children out of crisis, has only increased over the past year. According to Crossroads, last year they answered nearly 1000 crisis calls and sheltered 169 women and 63 children.
Rather than celebrate 40 years of service, Crossroads for Women is looking towards the next four decades.
The “Next 40” Campaign will help with the replacement of the Blossom house, a facility that protects women whose mental health and addiction issues have allowed abusers to prey on their suffering.
The campaign seeks $40,000 in financial donations, $40,000 of in-kind services and individuals who will contribute 40 hours of community service.
