When YW Kitchener Waterloo sold its shelter building at 84 Frederick St. in Kitchener over the summer, the region lost its only emergency refuge for women and gender-diverse individuals experiencing homelessness. At the time, YWKW explained the sale was merely the first step in creating a network of smaller shelters throughout the area.
But what happens when a community’s primary safety net disappears? That gap is now being filled by a new temporary emergency facility housed within Grace Bible Church at 2 Grand Ave. S in Cambridge. Operated by YWCA Cambridge, this 20-bed shelter will run 24/7—offering a safe, warm haven while efforts continue to secure a permanent location.
YWCA Cambridge CEO Kim Decker summed up the sentiment perfectly: “We are thrilled to have made it to the point of being ready to open our doors and offer a safer, warm place for unhoused women in Cambridge and North Dumfries.” Her optimism shines through like a light in a dark room.
But there’s more than just a bed on offer. The shelter will also provide comprehensive wraparound services—ranging from mental health support to physical well-being programs—delivered by dedicated community partners. “There is a strong and vibrant network of social services in Cambridge,” Decker remarked, “but a women’s emergency homeless shelter has been sorely lacking for too long.”
Funding for this critical initiative was first allocated in the region’s 2024 budget under the Plan to End Chronic Homelessness and extended in the 2025 spending plan. Such financial backing underscores a community determined to tackle homelessness with both urgency and compassion.
Regional Chair Karen Redman reinforced this commitment, stating, “We know there is much still to do, but the Region of Waterloo will continue working alongside community partners to improve how we shelter and support people experiencing homelessness.” Her words remind us that real progress happens when everyone pulls together.
Pastor David Robinson of Grace Bible Church added, “When our congregation moved into our building in downtown Galt, we wanted to be a gospel church that served the needs of our local neighbourhood and community.” His dedication echoes the broader mission: to serve and uplift those most in need.
Imagine a chilly winter evening when a woman, weary from battling both the cold and isolation, finds solace in this new shelter. In one fictional yet heartwarming scenario, a local resident—let’s call her Maria—discovered not just a roof over her head but a community of caring individuals ready to help her rebuild her life. Isn’t it remarkable how one new beginning can spark hope and transform lives?
