‘It was rewarding’: Emily Mesher retires from women’s shelter after 29 years

After nearly three decades of supporting women and children experiencing domestic violence and other difficulties in Nunavik, Emily Mesher has retired from her job as an intervener.

“What I used to be able to do lickety-split takes a lot longer now,” she said in an interview Monday — 29 years to the day she started working as an intervener, or caregiver. “I figured it was time to listen to my body.”

Mesher, 71, was born and raised in Labrador. She joined the Tungasuvvik Women’s Shelter in Kuujjuaq on Feb. 2, 1997. She was between jobs at the time and thought the position would be a good fit.

Mesher completed her last weekend shift on Sunday, one day before her anniversary at the shelter.

Tungasuvvik, which opened in 1992, takes in women and their children who are struggling with relationship problems, drug addiction, lack of financial or housing resources, sexual abuse and violence of any kind.

Mesher said every situation is unique.

“Police would bring a lot of clients by the middle of the night. Sometimes, two or three times a night, the doorbell would ring,” she said.

“You just had to be prepared to deal with whatever.”

What kept Mesher working there for over two decades is the opportunity to help people.

“It was rewarding,” she said.

“I felt I could make someone feel safe, comfortable, fed, cared for without judgement and just be open to what comes through the door.”

Stigma surrounding women’s shelters is intensified in a small community, Mesher said.

It’s almost impossible to access a shelter without being recognized by neighbours or staff, leading to fear of being judged or talked about.

“There were many people who didn’t mind it being known they were at the shelter, but [the stigma] kept a lot of people back,” Mesher said.

Support at the shelter goes beyond housing. There are social workers who offer counselling, case management and other support for clients’ needs. Mesher has participated in various workshops, for example, on self-defence, suicide prevention and team-building.

She said working at Tungasuvvik Women’s Shelter taught her a lot.

“Over the many years I have worked with women, I’ve been really amazed at the strength and resilience of them to deal with the situations they find themselves,” Mesher said.

As she retires, Mesher said she knows that the work isn’t done.

“The times will keep on changing,” she said. “I hope the shelter will be able to, I’m sure it will, adjust to the changes and continue to provide what’s needed by the women and children.”