by Marty Brown
Northern News Services

NNSL (DEC 06/96) - The Yellowknife Women's Centre is back home on 47th Street after a month-and-a-half at the Holy Trinity Anglican Church.

Much needed renovations had to be fast-tracked after a September rainfall flooded the downstairs. With a wet furnace room, pantry, clothing storage area and laundry room, something had to be done immediately.

The centre moved to the Anglican Church and all programs were delivered from the makeshift centre.

Although there's still moulding to be tacked up and some furniture to be moved around, there's soup cooking in the kitchen to feed the 20 or 30 people expected for lunch.

"We're almost back to normal," Annemarie Habibi, the recycling co-ordinator, said. She's the person in charge of soliciting food and supplies to keep the free lunches coming, ensuring clothing is available for whoever needs it and making the best soup in town, if she does say so herself.

Habibi is also the list lady. Since the centre can't handle donations of big furniture, she keeps lists, matching those with furniture to give away to those in need.

There are some changes. There's a wheelchair ramp now, new furniture and a new paint job at the centre. The basement is now dry.

But some things are the same, such as the healthy baby day when up to 20 mothers meet to discuss nutrition, breast feeding and parenting.

The literacy program is the same -- women can learn how to write resumes or fill out job applications or practise interview skills.

And it's still the place to drop in for coffee, a chat and information on anything from jobs to babysitters.