YWCA Crossroads Shelter Opened In 1983: Marks 35th Anniversary In Peterborough

The YWCA's Crossroads Shelter—a 25 bed state-of-the-art, secure facility providing physical safety, support, and well-being services to hundreds of women and children annually—marked its 35th anniversary in Peterborough on Wednesday (February 14th) with a love letter from its Executive Director Lynn Zimmer about the community support over the years. Read it below...

“We’re incredibly proud of what we’ve achieved together these past 35 years and so grateful to our community partners who help us protect women and children and make it possible for them to overcome the barriers they encounter when seeking safety and well-being. 

There’s no denying that a great deal has changed since 1983, but the issue that drove us to open our first shelter 35 years ago—violence against women—continues to exist and change shape.

Community support makes it possible for us to provide expert support to women facing mental health and addiction issues, women escaping human trafficking and sex trade exploitation, and refugee families as well.

We’re taking today to thank our dedicated staff, our generous community and our steadfast partners for helping women and children safely escape violence and successfully rebuild their lives.

We love you for making this possible, Peterborough!”

—Lynn Zimmer, YWCA

[Related: Wendy's Story: Watch This Powerful Video From YWCA Peterborough On Survivor Of Abuse]

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