The Genesis House 25-unit transitional housing project now has a name: Clearwater Place.
Executive director Ang Braun made the announcement as part of the agency’s two-day radiothon last week, explaining it honours the memory of Amanda Clearwater, who along with her three young children—Bethany, Jayven, and Isabella—and teenage cousin Myah-Lee Gratton were the fatal victims of domestic violence in Carman last year.
“We wanted it to be a name that would have meaning—meaning for us but also for the community,” Braun explained. “Amanda Clearwater and her children all lost their lives, and I can’t think of something that resonates more or has more meaning for why we’re building this space.”
The apartment complex going up in Winkler will provide the survivors of domestic violence with a safe place to stay while they work to build a new life for themselves and their children.
While the current Genesis House shelter will continue to provide emergency housing to families in crisis, this new facility will provide longer-term affordable housing as well as supportive programming to help women get back on their feet after fleeing a violent partner.
“The most important thing for us is that we want everyone to feel like they will belong in this space,” Braun stressed. “It doesn’t matter what background you come from”
Braun noted the agency consulted with local Indigenous leaders and the Clearwater family before deciding on the name, receiving their blessing.
“For that family, we can’t change what happened, but perhaps this new place might change it for someone else,” she said.
They’re now working on a logo that will capture the spirit of the project while also paying homage to Clearwater. A memorial project unveiled in Carman earlier this year incorporated a bronze turtle sculpture to symbolize Clearwater’s legacy.
“We are also hoping to incorporate a turtle into the design of our logo for this space,” Braun shared, noting they’ll also have artwork inside the building reflecting those themes, as well as photos and memories of Clearwater and her children.
Work on Clearwater Place began this fall. It’s expected to open by early 2027.
The $16 million project already has funding commitments from multiple levels of government and local donors, but there’s still a bit of a ways to go.
“The gap that we’re trying to close right now is about $600,000,” Braun shared. “We’ve made some good progress and of course we’re still applying for grants.”
Donations can be made online at genesishouseshelter.ca.
