b'SHELTERSPhoto courtesy of Beendigen. what it would be like, she says. Ive seen many get back up on their feet and [are now] doing very well. Our services are amazing, and our team of counsellorsis amazing.BeendigenBeendigen in Thunder Bay provides support to all self-identified Indigenous women and their dependants who are at risk of abuse or violence. According to Program Manager Katie Bortolin, Our main priorities when it comes to violence are prevention and safety planning, and then crisis intervention through our crisis home running 24 hours a day, and finally, our counselling and post-crisis services. Beendigens counselling programs offer clinical as well as traditional coun-selling, including the Sacred Circle and Sisters of Grief programs, which help women navigate the grief and loss they may feel after leaving an abusive relation-ship. This is done with cultural teachings that go through the medicine wheel and help women refocus, determine where theyre at and try to reclaim time they feel they wasted in abusive relationships.While Beendigen started as an abstinence-based agency, they have since moved to a harm-reduction model. Anyone is able to return to the crisis home under the influence of a substance so long as they are walking, talking, injury free, cooperative and without chil-dren. That way, if any women are fleeing violence, Beendigen can offer different strategies to ensure their safety until they are ready for treatment. As Bortolin puts it, Were really trying to see where our clients are at and meet them [there].The realities of re-homing someone safely in the eight weeks they are funded for is a lofty task, says Bortolin, espe-cially when youre fleeing violence and sorting out all the pieces that come together when youre rebuilding. In response to the housing crisis in Thunder Bay, Beendigen has recently opened a second-stage transition house for women BUILDING DREAMS.so they can start rebuilding their life free from violence while waiting for aCREATING REALITY. forever home. At Better Building Solutions, we are not satisfied until you are! Our goal isWhat Beendigen really tries to do isjim@bbsinc.calook at what services are out there, what to fulfill your building needs as quickly as possible while maintaining the highest quality workmanship. Allow us to make your dreams a reality!807-853-0479 were doing, find where the gaps areContact us today for a free quote. bbsinc.ca and do our best to fill those gaps,Bortolin concludes. 44l I ssue1 2022C hIefs ofo ntarIoA dvocAte magazIne'