Second Story Women’s Centre says purchasing its longtime home in Lunenburg will provide long-term stability as demand for services across the region continues to grow.
The organization officially announced this week it has purchased the former Lunenburg train station at 18 Dufferin Street after operating out of the building for more than 13 years.
Executive Director Stephanie Balcome says the building had already become closely connected with the organization’s work in the community.
“People know the building as a place of warmth, safety and support,” Balcome said in an interview with our newsroom.
“Us owning it means protecting that space for the future.”
The centre had previously rented the building from the Town of Lunenburg, but discussions around the town potentially selling the property years ago helped spark conversations about long-term stability for the organization.
Balcome says ownership now removes uncertainty around future leases and allows the organization to focus more attention on expanding outreach work in other communities.
“Having this home base gives us more capacity to think about outreach work that we can do,” she said.
The purchase also gives the organization more flexibility to make improvements to the building, including accessibility upgrades and infrastructure improvements like HVAC systems.
Second Story provides support services for women and gender-diverse people across Lunenburg and Queens counties.
Services include one-on-one counselling, crisis support, safety planning, advocacy, support groups, youth programming and help navigating housing and social service systems.
Balcome says demand for those services continues rising as housing insecurity, food insecurity and poverty become larger issues in the region.
“We’re not seeing a decrease in the demand for services at this time,” she said. “We’re seeing an increase.”
Jamie Myra previously called the purchase an important step in helping ensure the organization can continue serving the region long term.
Balcome also praised the Town of Lunenburg, former board members, legal advisors and community donors who helped make the purchase possible.
