Yellowknife (Sep 24/03) - The Yellowknife YWCA posted a surplus of nearly $25,000 on revenue of $2.6 million for the year ending March 31, 2003, directors reported.

Lyda Fuller, executive director of the YWCA of Yellowknife, is pleased with the outcome of the annual general meeting held Sept. 17. - Colleen Moore/NNSL photo

The announcement came during the annual general meeting held Sept. 17. Lyda Fuller, executive director of the YWCA, is thrilled.

"I think it was a year that we were able to strengthen the organization," said Fuller. "Both internally and externally improvements have been made."

Fuller said that because of the surplus, the organization can expand it's services, including implementing a pension plan for permanent staff, and more support for community investments.

During the year, the YWCA sheltered 159 women and 176 children at Alison McAteer House, and more than 100 children participated in the Child Recovery Program, for children who have witnessed abuse. In total, the YWCA provided housing to 97 adults and 150 children, and all 68 spaces in the YWCA After School Program were filled.

Florance Peddle, coordinator of child and youth services with the YWCA, said that she is hoping to expand the After School Program, which currently operates out of four different schools in Yellowknife.

"We are working on increasing the spaces right now," she said. "But there is a lot involved when doing this."

Honourary life memberships were also awarded to Michele Boon, Catherine Cushman Biddle and Roslyn Smith, for their long-time commitment and involvement with the YWCA.