Muslim Welfare Centre celebrated the unveiling of renovations to its Muslim Welfare Home for Needy Women and Children in Whitby today. The 33-bed shelter provides a safe environment and services for women and children who are victims of abuse and violence.

The federal government provided $78,243 through Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation's (CMHC) Shelter Enhancement Program to renovate and upgrade the shelter.

In a simple and elegant ceremony at the green lawn of the Shelter where representative of Federal Finance Minister, Deputy Mayor of Whitby, Councilors of Whitby, CMHC officials and many community leaders were present, Major. Abbas (Founder of M.W.C) thanked the Federal Finance Minister and CMHC for their financial help. He stressed that Muslim Welfare Centre though Islamic oriented but we serve the needy on the basis of Humanity -irrespective of Religion, Nationality, Caste of Creed.

Major repair and upgrading work was completed at Shelter. The renovations include replacing windows, fence, new carpet, new heating system, stairs, flooring, kitchen cabinets, ceramic tiles in kitchen, video surveillance system, new bedroom doors, closet doors and painting the entire building inside etc.

“These renovations will enable us to improve the quality of life for the women and their children who are seeking shelter from abuse and violence,” said Sibtay Naqvi, Chief Executive Officer of the Muslim Welfare Home. “By providing housing for women and their children in a setting that is supportive and accessible to the services at the Muslim Welfare Home, we hope to help a woman increase her chance of a successful transition to community living.”

The Muslim Welfare Centre has been offering safe, short-term affordable housing to abused women and their children of all communities irrespective of Religion, Nationality, Caste or Creed across the Greater Toronto Area since 1993. It also provides a caring and non-judgmental environment for women of all faiths and their children that is respectful of cultural, personal and religious beliefs.

In the last ten years Muslim Welfare Home for Needy Women and Children have served 2637 women with their children through this shelter in Durham Region. These clients stayed for 48,606 nights at the shelter in the last ten years.

In 2005 the shelter helps an average of 351 women and their children that access their services.