08/26/2026
Today we look at the formation and History of New Starts for Women.
In 1985, Jeannie Cutts was employed as a Family Worker at the Patricia Centre for Children and Youth in Red Lake. During a workshop she was facilitating, a woman disclosed that she was experiencing abuse. When Jeannie attempted to find support services for her, she discovered that no such resources existed in the community. Recognizing this critical gap, she and several other women came together to address the need.
This grassroots group consisted of women who shared a common concern about family violence. Early members included Jeannie Cutts (Family Worker), Brenda Brunet (Social Worker), Angela McLaren (Teacher), and Wilma Zaal (Social Worker). The group began meeting regularly, laying the foundation for what would become New Starts for Women.
In the spring of 1986, the group received $10,000 from the Ontario Ministry of Community and Social Services to conduct a needs assessment for the Red Lake and Ear Falls area. Following the assessment, the organization became incorporated under the direction of a Board of Directors. The Board applied for additional provincial funding to establish a women's shelter and proposed the creation of a non-profit volunteer transportation service to assist women fleeing violence. From these efforts, New Starts for Women Inc. was officially established.
By March 1987, The District News published advertisements seeking volunteers willing to use their own vehicles to transport victims of family violence to safe locations outside of Red Lake, including Dryden, Sioux Lookout, and Kenora. The organization also recruited volunteers to operate a crisis telephone line.
On October 4 and 5, 1987, the Board of Directors met with Dale McKenzie of the Manitoba Wife Abuse Program and Marlene Bertrand, Director of Osborne House. Board members in attendance included Jennifer McKibbon (President), Brenda Brunet (Chairperson), Zofia Eichenlaub, Jeannie Cutts, Rhona Karschti, Glenda Bishop, Wilma Zaal, and Marjorie McCrae.
Throughout 1987, New Starts for Women expanded its services by hiring its first full-time staff member and establishing a 24-hour crisis telephone and transportation service. These services provided women experiencing violence with immediate access to support and safe transportation.
During 1988, the Board continued its efforts to address domestic violence throughout the Red Lake area. Members worked to strengthen the transportation network for abused women, increase public awareness through community education, and recruit public speakers to discuss the issue. Training sessions were also organized for local taxi drivers who wanted to better understand domestic violence and learn how they could assist women in crisis.
In 1989, Board members began meeting with the councils of Ear Falls, Red Lake, and Golden Township to present the organization's goals and increase awareness of the need for a local shelter. The Ontario Provincial Police expressed their support for the project, and New Starts representatives outlined the history, purpose, and objectives of the proposed transportation network during a presentation to Golden Township Council.
Later that year, Frank Miclash, Member of Provincial Parliament, announced that the Ontario Ministry of Community and Social Services had approved a $460,000 capital grant for the construction of a women's shelter in Red Lake.
In April 1990, a series of meetings was held with the Municipality to discuss the development of the shelter. As a result of these discussions, zoning by-laws were amended to permit the project to proceed. New Starts subsequently invited tenders for the construction of a nine-bed shelter.
Major construction was completed on February 15, 1991. On March 27, 1991, the community celebrated the completion of the facility with an official ribbon-cutting ceremony.
On Tuesday, April 2, 1991, New Starts for Women officially opened its doors, providing shelter, safety, and support to women throughout the Red Lake region who had experienced violence. The opening marked the culmination of six years of dedication by volunteers, community advocates, and local leaders who recognized the need for services and worked tirelessly to ensure that women and their children would have a safe place to turn in times of crisis.
