Dorothy Westerman
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Apr 16/04) - Focusing on homelessness takes up a big part of Lyda Fuller's work day.

But it's the help she and the YWCA are able to provide that Fuller enjoys most about her job as executive director.

In existence in the North since 1966, Fuller says the YWCA first opened its doors in Yellowknife by way of invitation from the Commissioner.

"Now we are the largest non-institutional provider of social services in the Northwest Territories," Fuller says.

"And it's a real challenge here in the North."

She says helping people heal from issues of decolonization and residential schooling is but one of the challenges she encounters each day.

"But on the positive side, everybody knows everyone here and they become closer to the people who care and who help address the issues," Fuller says.

On the job at the Yellowknife YWCA since she moved from Regina in 1997, Fuller says complex social problems due to the impact of economic development are also issues she tackles.

From family violence to violence in teen dating, lack of affordable housing and working with children, Fuller says her main goal is to help improve the quality of life for those in need of help.

For the various programs run by the YWCA, she says about 800 families utilize the service each year.

A staff of about 100 plus eight board members try to fill the needs of the territories.

"The bulk of our programs are in Yellowknife, but we serve people from across the North," she notes.