Steinbach MLA and Justice Minister Kelvin Goertzen, announced that the Manitoba government is providing $100,000 to assist with programs and services offered through Candace House, a non-profit organization that supports victims and survivors of violent crime.
“When individuals are able to use services from Candace House, they have direct access to emotional and practical support,” said Minister Goertzen. “These funds directly benefit victims and survivors and promote healing and resilience while gaining confidence in navigating the justice system.”
Funds will be used to support programs Healing Haven and the newly created Heart Spaces at Candace House, a comfortable refuge near the Winnipeg law courts that provides family members of homicide a safe place to rest, debrief about court and receive emotional support while involved in the criminal justice process.
“Over the last three years, Candace House has experienced a growing demand for our services,” said Cecilly Hildebrand, executive director, Candace House. “This funding will ensure that victims and survivors of violent crime have access to wrap-around, trauma-informed, and culturally safe supports while they navigate Manitoba’s justice system.
Heart Spaces program will work to increase wrap-around support for victims and survivors of violent crime by offering victim-survivor-centred spaces for meetings to occur between victims, survivors, families and justice system related personnel as well as those who offer support. This new space and service also brings with it the opportunity to develop and deliver workshops and training, the minister noted.
Healing Haven program offers a comforting homelike refuge during the day for individuals and families impacted by violence and the criminal death of a loved one while they navigate the justice system. Program staff provide are able to provide court accompaniment as well as emotional and practical support by offering counselling, answering court related questions, helping locate further information, and connections to referrals.
In November 2021, Candace House reported that they have served approximately 500 victims, survivors and family members since it began operating in its current format in November 2018.
The funding will be provided by the Criminal Property Forfeiture Branch. Since its inception in 2009, the Criminal Property Forfeiture Branch has distributed more than $19 million back to communities throughout the province. The Criminal Property Forfeiture program forfeits and liquidates criminal assets and redirects funding to initiatives designed to protect Manitobans, enhance public safety and support victims of crime.
Candace House is the vision of Wilma and Cliff Derksen, who became strong advocates for victims after losing their daughter, Candace, to homicide in 1984. For more information about Candace House, visit candacehouse.ca.
For more information on Manitoba’s victims services programs, visit gov.mb.ca.
