NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

November 28, 2022

Conexus Credit Union contributing $1 Million to Centre for Women and Families Conexus Community Outreach Centre

REGINA, SK – Today, YWCA Regina is pleased to announce that Conexus Credit Union (Conexus) is contributing $1 Million towards the new YWCA Regina Centre for Women and Families Conexus Community Outreach Centre. Conexus actively empowers people and communities through its multiple community support programs, and YWCA Regina is incredibly grateful to partner with an organization focused on uplifting and enriching the lives of our province’s most vulnerable individuals through giving.

“Conexus is absolutely pleased to be a part of this project that is set to help women and families in our province realize their full potential, emotionally, socially, financially,” says Celina Philpot, CEO of Conexus Credit Union. “Investing in life-impacting initiatives that contribute to the community for generations to come tells a story of support, care for our community and innovation; a direct reflection of our purpose, values and brand as an organization.”

YWCA Regina and Conexus have had a valued relationship spanning 25 years, and are pleased to continue this strong partnership into the future with opening of the new Centre for Women and Families. The $1 Million contribution will be leveraged to directly ensure successful creation and operation of the Conexus Community Outreach Centre, which aims to assist women and families escaping domestic violence by providing essential education on violence prevention, health services, legal advice, and integrated crisis services that will help make significant strides towards decreasing homelessness in our city.

“We’ve been so fortunate to have a lasting and trusted partnership with Conexus, and in the earliest days of the consultation and planning for the new Centre for Women and Families, they were there, on board, and ready to be involved,” says YWCA CEO Melissa Coomber-Bendtsen. “Like us, Conexus is deeply invested in supporting individuals in meeting their full potential, and their contribution is integral in making that happen.”

In June of 2022, YWCA Regina announced a $33.9M contribution from the Government of Canada through the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), a $1M investment from the Government of Saskatchewan through the Saskatchewan Housing Corporation, and a $2M contribution through gift of land from the City of Regina. Including Conexus’ $1M commitment, over $13 million has been raised through the Community Campaign. YWCA Regina is working to raise another $7 million in funding from the community.

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About the Centre:

The 85,000 sq ft YWCA Regina Centre for Women and Families building will operate with a trauma informed approach and wrap-around services that provide crisis and preventative supports through the work of YWCA Regina and partnerships with other community serving organizations and visiting practitioners. These wrap-around supports will address the barriers that keep vulnerable women and children in homelessness and violent situations. The building will also feature community multi-purpose spaces, access to drop-in supports and essential needs, communal kitchens, and indoor and outdoor play areas. The Centre for Women and Families will include a healing and ceremony lodge stewarded by Indigenous community partners to provide access to cultural connection and Indigenous ways of knowing.

The YWCA Centre for Women and Families will offer wrap-around services in a warm and welcoming place where every support a family needs to thrive can be found in one place. By working with our partner organizations in a consolidated community ‘hub of support’ we can do our work in a better way – a way that keeps families together, mitigates crisis, and ensures we are, as an entire community, working together and responding to the needs of vulnerable families with lasting and sustainable solutions.

Learn more here 

Click Here to Read the Facts and Stats

About YWCA Regina:

• YWCA Regina is dedicated to igniting the equitable inclusion of women and families. Because, right now, families need us to be their trusted partner in addressing the most complex issues faced by women in our community. We believe if we can provide childcare, shelter and housing, community programs, family support programs and outreach, women and families will realize their full potential to the benefit of the entire community.

  We operate a Kikinaw Residence, a supportive housing residence for women, 4 Children’s Homes, 1 of only 3 emergency domestic violence shelters in Regina, Isabel Johnson Shelter, and Regina’s only emergency homeless shelter for women and families, My Aunt’s Place. YWCA Regina also offers extensive community programming, Outreach and support services, and 3 licensed childcare centres.

www.ywcaregina.com

@ywcaregina: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn

About Conexus Credit Union:

Conexus is a forward-thinking, innovative credit union committed to improving the financial wellbeing of our members and communities. We are one of Saskatchewan’s largest credit unions and being connected to our communities across the province is a commitment we have upheld for the last 80+ years. Working alongside our community investment partners enables us to deliver our purpose and in the last five years, we’ve invested over $9.5 million back into communities across Saskatchewan. To learn more, visit Conexus.ca.

For Further Comment:

Melissa Coomber-Bendtsen

CEO, YWCA Regina

ywcaregina@ywcaregina.com

306-525-2141 ext. 135

306-581-9118

Conexus Credit Union Media Relations

publicrelations@conexus.ca

306-751-8201