‘A chance to heal’: YWCA Saskatoon opens new transitional housing

WATCH: The YWCA Saskatoon opened a new transitional housing wing on Thursday. It will provide safety and stability for up to 35 families fleeing domestic violence.

Thirty-five families fleeing domestic violence will have a new place to find safety and stability in Saskatoon. On Thursday, YWCA Saskatoon officially opened “Hopeful Hearts,” a new transitional housing wing.

The expansion adds 75-beds, across 35 second-stage housing units, to the existing facility — providing more long-term housing for women and children.

“The opening of our Hopeful Hearts wing means 35 more families will have not just a roof over their heads, but a home — and a chance to heal, rebuild, and thrive,” YWCA Saskatoon CEO Cara Bahr said in a press release.

Bahr said families turn to YWCA Saskatoon for support every day, but it doesn’t have the capacity to meet demand.

• Get the latest news from Saskatoon, sent directly to you: Download the CTV News App

“Last year alone, we had to turn away over 5,000 women and children — not because they didn’t need us, but because we simply didn’t have the space,” Bahr said.

YWCA Saskatoon said the expansion will more than double its capacity.

Opening the transitional housing wing marks a major milestone in the YWCA Saskatoon’s $19 million Capital Campaign, which launched in September of 2023. It’s one of three goals – the others include renovations to the existing facility and an expansion of the Employment and Learning Centre.