Marking our nation's birth was not the only reason to celebrate this past Canada Day in Altona.

A ceremony was held to officially open the 'Love Well Women's Drop-in Centre.' The centre is a place for women of all ages to relax, build friendships, and support one another in a safe environment.

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Ryan Wiebe (middle) first spearheaded the effort to bring Joy Smith and her message of human trafficking to Altona back in September 2019.Robyn Sierks is one of several people who initiated and oversaw the establishment of the project. She says they are so excited with how everything came together. 

"The way everybody is coming on board, it's like the whole community is banding together to make sure that this is a success. They just want women to feel loved and that they have a place where they belong, and feel connected. And it doesn't matter what the issue is, they can come."

The local group that spearheaded the project also worked with the Joy Smith Foundation to offer bible studies and programs that bring awareness to human trafficking.

Joy Smith was on hand for the opening and says the drop-in centre is so important. When you walk in, she says the centre offers a beautiful atmosphere that wraps around you in a real way.

Smith says she applauds all of the people who had the vision for the centre and did everything to put it all together. "It's really amazing. It's the first of its kind in this area."

The Joy Smith Foundation is a national foundation and Smith says the foundation will be using the Love Well Women's Drop-in Centre as an example of how to develop love and care for those that need it so much.

Sierks says when they called on the community for help, so many people and businesses came through with donations to make the centre a reality. "It just came together. Just can see God's fingerprint all over."

What made the birth of the drop-in centre even more amazing, Sierks says the entire thing came together during the pandemic.

The Love Well Women's Drop-in Centre is located at 34 2nd Ave NE in Altona.