Fort Smith (Nov 22/04) - As of Nov. 1, Sutherland House, a shelter for abused women and children in Fort Smith, is being operated by YWCA Yellowknife.

The YWCA was the only bidder on a tender to provide interim management of the facility until the end of March 2005.

During that time, they will work on developing programs and procedures, setting standards and training staff.

The contract, worth $170,000, is funded by the Fort Smith Health and Social Services Authority.

Dana Rasiah, the authority's CEO, explained that a second tender will be going out for long-term management of the shelter.

Until the end of June, the shelter was run by the Fort Smith-based Tawow Society. The health authority assumed control after four of five Tawow Society directors resigned in early June.

Since then, the health authority has run the facility with casuals, Rasiah says.

As of the middle of last week, the Tawow Society had not decided if it would bid for the opportunity to resume long term operation of the shelter.

YWCA Yellowknife has operated Alison McAteer House, a 12-bed shelter for women and children in Yellowknife, since 1986.

Policies, procedures and programming used in Yellowknife will be adapted for the six-bed shelter in Fort Smith, according to Lyda Fuller, executive director of YWCA Yellowknife.

Fuller said the organization submitted a proposal because it wants to see women's shelters thrive in the NWT.

"We believe shelters offer valuable choices to women and their children and we want to see a shelter remain in Fort Smith as a vibrant and positive option for women."

A manager with expertise in shelter management has been brought in from Saskatoon, Sask., to run the Fort Smith facility.