Our History:
The Women’s Centre Coalition was formed in August of 1989 and was composed of concerned individuals and representatives from local interest groups such as the Canadian Federation of University Women, the Manitoba Action Committee on the Status of Women, the Manitoba Metis Alliance, and the Brandon University Status of Women Organization. The purpose of this coalition was to research and lobby for a regional women’s resource centre. These dedicated women had their hard work come to fruition when the Western Manitoba Women’s Regional Resource Centre was opened on April 15th, 1992. Initially TWRC and its resources were maintained only by a core volunteer board who looked after information requests and referrals. In 1998, The Women’s Resource Centre obtained temporary space in the lower level of the Marquis Project, relocating to the Town Centre in 2000, where it remained until the spring of 2012.
The Women’s Resource Centre moved to its second location at 731 Princess Avenue after a near financial crisis in 2012. Only through the dedication of its board, staff, and members was the Centre able to reopen in its new location. Though that was a demanding time for the Centre, the community and those closely connected to The Women’s Resource Centre were able to face the challenge head on and create a new and improved Women’s Resource Centre.
In 2017, we saw our services and staff expanding to a point where our building was no longer appropriate for our needs. In the summer of 2017, we were able to find a new location that better suited our needs and the needs of those accessing the Centre. We have settled nicely into our new home, located at 729 Princess Ave in Brandon, but even with our expansion we continue to see a rise in need for services for women and their families.
Our heartfelt appreciation and gratitude goes out the Westman community for helping to keep the Centre alive.