Sheila Allen has recently left her position as the executive director at the Howe Sound Women’s Centre Society after almost six years and is in the process of leaving Squamish after 14 years. Reporter Jennifer Thuncher sat down with Allen in her packed-up office on her last day at the centre (June 19) for a chat about her successes, challenges and the struggles facing women in the corridor.
Q: First question has to be, why are you leaving?
A: Our family is relocating to Vancouver Island for my husband’s position with the provincial government. We don’t know quite where yet, but it will be in the Victoria area. It will definitely be a big change. I will miss the community and all the people here. I won’t miss the rain here though. It rains considerably less on the Island.
Q: Reflecting on your time at the Centre, what are some of the highlights for you?
A: Since I have been here, the operating budget has increased by over 40 per cent so that means our society is able to offer more programs and services.
Pearl’s Value & Vintage is up over 250 per cent in revenues, which means the revenues from there go to support the drop-in centre here and in Whistler, so we are able to continue those services. We are also able to help more people in the community and provide employment for people who work at the store as well.
We’ve also done the First Nations safety and security agreement with all six Nations in the Corridor to help prevent elder abuse and violence against women.
Q: How is Squamish doing as a community in terms of issues that impact women?
A: Unfortunately, sexual assault and domestic violence continue to be issues throughout the corridor. We feel that there are more community partners engaged in creating awareness around those issues so that is going to have a positive effect.
An issue of great and immediate concern for all of the residents is the lack of affordable housing. That is a huge barrier to women, to anyone trying to create next steps in their lives, and particularity for women who are fleeing domestic violence; that is just one giant hurdle that they need to be able to overcome to feel safe and provide security for themselves and their children, to move forward.
Q: The board of directors of the centre hasn’t announced your replacement yet, but do you have any advice for the person who will try and fill your shoes?
A: We have a fantastic strategic plan, it was created with input from the board and the staff and the management team and I think that it is very strong, so just continue making decisions based on that plan.
And just continue to be creative and innovative when it comes to financial management in terms of trying to foster the thrift store that we have and trying to continue to build community relations with different partners so we can all do a better job of serving our clients as best we can with limited budgets.
Q: Anything else you want people to know before you go?
A: Howe Sound Women’s Centre is a great place to work and a fantastic place to volunteer. It is a safe and confidential place to come for women who need it.
We are open and welcome to women of all walks of life, all nationalities: doesn’t matter what you are going through or where you work or who you are in the community, we are open and welcome to help you.
