Ally Centre of Cape Breton to honor the late Eleanor Young in naming of New Dawn Enterprises’ Rapid Housing Initiative building
(Sydney, NS) – The Ally Centre of Cape Breton announced that they will honour the late Eleanor Young in the naming of the Rapid Housing Initiative building at the Nova Scotia Native Women’s Association’s Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirit Awareness Walk on Red Dress Day.
Eleanor was a daughter, a mother, a sister and a friend. She was an Indigenous woman who was proud of her culture and loved her community of Eskasoni. Sadly, like thousands before her, Eleanor found herself among the list of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women here in Canada.
Eleanor’s situation of homelessness increased her chances significantly of being another victim. This is why May 5th, Red Dress Day, was selected to announce the name of the Rapid Housing Initiative building as “Eleanor’s Court”.
“Eleanor’s Court will not only offer safe, affordable, supportive housing to some of Eleanor’s closest friends, but will also serve as a reminder of how important housing is in protecting our most vulnerable people,” says Christine Porter, Executive Director of the Ally Centre of Cape Breton.
The naming of the building was selected by the clients of the Ally Centre, the community that supported Eleanor here in Sydney. Eleanor slept in a tent, however she ate, showered, laughed and loved at the Ally Centre. This was her community and they all felt the pain of her loss. Eleanor’s mother, Ronalda Denny, made the announcement alongside Christine Porter from the Ally Centre of Cape Breton. Denny says that Eleanor would be honored to have the building named in her memory. She is also grateful that her daughter will not be forgotten and says “I still mourn her everyday”.
“As we reflect on and honor the missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls on Red Dress Day, we encourage residents of our community to think about Eleanor’s story and the impact homelessness has on our neighbors, friends and family,” says Porter.
If you would like to learn more about Eleanor Young or the Rapid Housing Initiative, please visit: www.newdawnproperties.ca/developments.
Follow this link to access a Saltwire article about the building name announcement:
About Eleanor’s Court
Eleanor’s Court is a 25-unit, deeply affordable supportive housing development being built for individuals who are experiencing chronic homelessness in our community. It is being constructed in Sydney’s North End and will be owned by New Dawn Enterprises and operated by the Ally Centre of Cape Breton.