Across British Columbia women's centres are bracing for Mar. 31.
On that date the provincial government will stop funding the Howe Sound Women's Centre (HSWC) and other similar centres across the province.
The centre in Squamish can continue to operate for another six months. The half-year of operations will be funded through lottery funding.
"We applied for funding from the gaming commission and received money from them and that is how we are able to continue to operate for six months," said Melany Crowston, the local program coordinator.
The HSWC also submitted a grant-in-aid request with the District of Squamish. That application is for $47,000 and Crowston said if the district comes through with the money it will allow the centre to operate for a full year.
Council is currently in the process of setting its 2004 budget.
In a news release issued by the Women's Centre, Crowston suggested that the current provincial government might restore the funding it is cutting off as of Mar. 31.
"With this $100 million surplus they supposedly have they could fund women's centres," she said. Crowston thinks there's a good chance that the provincial funding will come through.
The centre in Squamish assists about 6,000 people a year. The centre employs fifteen people, including two people in Whistler and Pemberton. The positions are a mix of full- and part-time employees along with relief workers.
To draw attention to the cuts in social services and the plight of the HSWC, there is going to be a rally in Squamish on Saturday (Mar. 6).
"We're going to start at the women's centre and march down to Lily's Garden to do some speeches," Crowston said. The rally is set to start at 1 p.m.
The rally is a kick-off to International Women's Day on Mar. 8.
"There's nothing to celebrate for International Women's Day," Crowston said with the funding cut looming.
She added that if government funding isn't available to the centre it will mean cutbacks will be contemplated at the centre and a lot of fundraising efforts will have to be put in place to fund the services the centre decides to continue to offer.
