Genesis House in Winkler is excited to be back home.  The agency moved into a temporary space for nearly six months to allow for renovations at the women's shelter.
    
Executive Director Ang Braun says the move to the temporary housing was the biggest thing that impacted them during the past year. "We wondered if it would impact the number of families that we served, and I sort of anticipated that we would be lower in numbers, but that hasn't been the case.  Unfortunately the numbers have been really high right through the move."  

While at the temporary location, Braun said the agency had room for about 11 people, and they were full pretty well they entire time.

Meanwhile, operating out of their temporary location for nearly six months forced Genesis House to put a number of new programs on hold.  Braun said now that they're back at their permanent home, they have some exciting things in the works.  Braun said they were successful in receiving a number of grants last year, but with the move, which was sprung on them, they did not have the space to start rolling things out.  "We received a grant to do some cultural outreach, so we're wanting to reach that population of newcomers that are speaking High German and Russian."  In combination with that, they also want to expand their outreach at the two First Nations they serve, Roseau Valley and Swan Lake First Nations.

Genesis House held its annual general meeting on Monday, which included a tour of the freshly renovated shelter.  Braun said one of the biggest highlights of the improvements, is the new kitchen.  

Below is a picture gallery of the renovated facility.