When Shelley Boyes first started to promote Choose Life Ministry a few years ago, she never imagined that they would be in a position to welcome their first residents in 2016.
But that is the proposition now facing her and the ministry.
Boyes announced at Choose Life’s second annual Second Chance Fashion Show on April 23 that the ministry will have its first residents this year.
Renovations are nearing completion on an old stone house that is on Choose Life’s land near Gainsborough. It will serve as the home for the ministry’s healing centre for women with life-controlling issues. Boyes expects those renovations will be finished in the summer, and they will have their first residents on Sept. 1.
It’s a “huge” step forward for Choose Life, she said.
“We did not anticipate opening this soon,” Boyes told Lifestyles. “But everything has come together perfectly. Our original plan was to build a large building, but now with the renovations happening, things are happening much more quickly than we expected.”
The stone house has required a lot of work. The interior was gutted and the roof was repaired. They have all new plumbing, electrical work and insulation. The dry wall is currently being installed.
“Very soon we will be ready to paint and get the interior all finished,” said Boyes.
There is a functioning well on the property that will need to be brought up to capacity to ensure they have enough water, and they need to take care of basic landscaping.
Choose Life is hiring employees to work at the shelter. They hope to hire four or five direct contact staff who will be on the grounds throughout the week. They are also looking for a full-time and a part-time kitchen worker.
Boyes believes there is a lot of demand for the services that Choose Life will provide.
“I’m in contact with people on a weekly basis who know someone who can make use of our program,” said Boyes.
They will be able to accommodate six young women in the stone house. An application for the home is on their website. Applicants have to fill out the form voluntarily and on their own.
“Once the applications are in place, we will start making the selection process,” said Boyes.
Choose Life will provide a residential program that lasts at least six months for women suffering from such issues as substance abuse, depression, anxiety, an unexpected pregnancy, self-harm behaviours, eating disorders, and the effects of physical and/or sexual abuse.
The program will seek to treat people physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually.
There will be counselling; nutrition, fitness and healthy living training; practical life skills education and implementation; and individualized educational opportunities during the program. The women will also have a transition phase to adjust back to life in a community.
A property transformation weekend will happen on Choose Life’s grounds from May 27 to 29. A Sunday morning worship service will take place on the final day.
As for the fashion show, it was held at Living Hope Community Church in Estevan. Twenty-one models walked down the runway, wearing attire mostly found at Choose Life’s Second Chance Thrift Store locations in Estevan and Carlyle. Some of the apparel came from Jones New York.
More than 150 people attended the fashion show.
“Everyone seemed to have a good time,” said Boyes. “The atmosphere was really light.”
Molly Thomas, who works on the Global Television series Context with Lorna Dueck, was the commentator for the fashion show.
Other highlights included desserts, a pie auction, a clothing auction and live music.
Boyes estimates the fundraiser generated between $7,500 and $8,000, which will be directed towards the building fund.
