A modest office tucked away in a north-end industrial park is the home base for a program aimed at empowering Aboriginal women in a culturally sensitive and supportive environment.
“We want to give them the tools to survive, to succeed, to obtain their goals, and to bring back cultural teachings,” said Cathy Shawongonabe, a support worker with the Biminaawzogin Regional Aboriginal Women’s Circle.
An emerging program spearheaded by the local non-profit agency seeks to bridge the gap that has left many women struggling to reach educational and/or career goals.
“It is about giving them self-esteem, giving them back their empowerment, giving them back their identity,” Shawongonabe added.
The eight-week program was borne out of a need to address the inequities facing urban Aboriginal women in this area, she said.
A research report conducted in 2007 named Orillia as the most underserviced community in Simcoe County in terms of available support for native women, she added.
Poverty, homelessness and inadequate education are among the issues challenging local individuals.
“We are trying to give high-risk women some training in regards to going back to work,” Shawongonabe said.
Designed with a focus on personal development, the program, to be run out of St. Paul’s United Church, offers participants access to job-research skills, computer training, and career preparation in a group setting.
In addition, graduates will receive ongoing support, she added.
The program, which operates four days each week, begins May 5, and runs from 10 a.m. until 2:30 p.m.
In existence since 2000, the local agency works to provide programs and services for Aboriginal women at risk, in crisis or in transition.
Members include local women’s organizations and groups in Simcoe County and York Region.
Long-term strategies include a call for transitional housing serving Aboriginal women in need of safe shelter.
The education, training and employment bridging program is supported by Georgian College, the Orillia Native Women’s Group, Ontario Works, Ernestine’s Women’s Shelter, and Enaahtig Outreach.
The office is located at 256 Hughes Rd., Unit 20.
For more information, call 326-3900.
