Embattled Osborne House shelter gets renamed Willow Place
Women’s shelter at centre of continued disputes with Province of Manitoba gets new name
Manitoba's largest women's shelter is getting a new name following years of controversy.
Osborne House, a shelter for women and children who have been victims of domestic violence, has been renamed "Willow Place."
The organization also has a new board.
Osborne House has been at the centre of a very public back and forth with the provincial government in recent years.
- Osborne House working on action plan with province
- Osborne House CEO takes leave from Winnipeg shelter
- Province appoints new boss for Osborne House
The province and the shelter were at odds after remarks from Manitoba's deputy premier, Eric Robinson became public. Robinson had used a racial slur referring to people who worked at the shelter.
Not long after, the shelter's CEO Barbara Judt took a medical leave, and the province appointed an interim administrator.
- Head of Osborne House says province wants her out
- Osborne House CEO says province has 'racist agenda'
- Osborne House working on action plan with province
Earlier this year, the chair of the shelter's board publicly expressed concerns the province would terminate the service purchase agreement for Osborne House – dramatically affecting their funding.
The province later denied the shelter would be closed down, and said the shelter is being run by a provincial administration until a new service provider is found.
A permanent executive director is expected to be hired this summer.
The organization has 45 beds and sees about 800 women and children per year.
The shelter also has new contact numbers they want everyone who might need their services to be aware of. To reach Willow Place's crisis line, call 204-615-0311.
For the shelter's administration line, which can be used for inquiries about volunteering or donating, contact 204-615-0313.