Tucked into the heart of downtown Winnipeg, the Holy Names House of Peace is a beacon of hope and community. Twenty-one women, mostly immigrants and refugees, have found a home there, and the public spaces, in non-pandemic times, are open to all from 7:00am to 6:00pm daily.
“When we first took over this building from the Franciscans, we had no idea what we would do with it,” admits Sister Lesley Sacouman, Executive Coordinator at Holy Names House of Peace. “We only knew that the doors had always been open here to anyone who needed a safe, quiet space, and we would keep those doors open, no matter what.”
They did, and then some. Initially, the building on Edmonton Street had nine bedrooms and some shared living areas, apart from the chapel, the hall, and other community spaces. “We were able to take over this building due to the generosity of a donor who purchased it and agreed to lease it to us for 25 years at a reduced rate,” explains Sister Sacouman. “That was in 2004, and by 2008, we had begun fundraising to add more housing.”
In 2010, two more floors were added, and the capacity of the living quarters increased to 21. “The women who live here arrive carrying huge trauma,” continues Sister Sacouman. “They land in Winnipeg from countries all over the world, and they often have children back home that they are working hard to reunite with. We call each other neighbours here. We live together, cook and clean together, and make plans for the future.”
Women can stay at the House of Peace for up to two years at a reduced rental rate. “We charge as little as we can so that women will have some money when they leave,” says Sister Sacouman. “This isn’t just an apartment block. It’s a community. We all need family when we’ve lost everything. We all need to be loved and respected.”
This perspective encompasses all the public-facing activities hosted in the building, too. Addiction support groups, domestic violence support groups, the deaf community and others gather in the hall to find hope together.
Lately, Sister Sacouman and the administrative team have been turning their thoughts towards the future of the building itself. With the affordable rental agreement due to expire in 2029, they knew they couldn’t afford to stay on at market rates.
“We have no real secure source of funding,” she says. “We run on large and small donations and grants, and every little bit counts. Recently, I received a note from a former neighbour, a woman who had lived with us, who had gone on to get her Red Seal as a hair stylist. In the note was a cheque for $210. That’s a lot of money for her, and it was deeply moving to receive it.”
After much discussion, the donor who purchased the building in 2004 agreed to sell it to the non-profit agency for $3 million. The Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary, Sister Sacouman’s order, agreed to contribute $1 million, plus a $500,000 matching grant.
With a $100,000 donation from Réseau Compassion Network and other donations from foundations and individuals, House of Peace has already surpassed the $2 million mark. “We’re entering the final lap,” says Sister Sacouman. “We’re writing grant applications and proposals and we’ll make it. Somehow, some way.”
As the everyday work of love, compassion and acceptance carries on at House of Peace, Sister Sacouman stays centred and focused on what matters. “What are my dreams for us? I don’t have any. The dreams are in the hearts of the people who come here. My job is to listen and let the people lead.”
To watch a short virtual tour of the House of Peace, click here.
To make a donation towards the purchase of their building, click here.