Dane Gibson
Northern News Services

NNSL (Feb 19/99) - More than 100 people flocked to a YWCA open house at Rockhill Apartments, Feb. 11. The event was staged to showcase the organization's new location and residents' program.

"Things have changed significantly since we left Northern United Place," YWCA executive director Lyda Fuller said.

"We have better space for families -- the move will help us help people re-stabilize their lives and improve their tenancy skills."

YWCA now has 33 units in the residency program, a food bank and clothing depot.

This year, they'll have 70 staff and 50 volunteers working together on various outreach and family violence programs. The non-profit agency needs about $2.2 million annually to run.

"The biggest challenge we, and many other local organizations face, is raising funds to continue offering the programs we do," Fuller said.

"I guess we have more anxiety about that because of Nunavut. We all serve clients in the East and no one is sure where the funds will settle once the process of implementation is complete."

Fuller takes a moment to look up last year's service figures. She shakes her head when she finds they helped more than 800 adults and children.

After more than a decade in the organization, she'd like that figure to be much lower.

"To me, it's unthinkable not to help when there's a need. How can people see battered women or hungry kids and not help?" she asks incredulously.

"The YWCA is my life. I devote my life to it because it's an organization that's committed to improving lives."

To help raise funds, well-known Northern artist Bill Nasogaluak donated a house- warming gift -- his latest painting titled Muskox Guardians. The public can purchase a limited edition print of the painting for $160.

The original painting will be auctioned off to the highest bidder April 10.