A café in Dartmouth that helps troubled women get employment and life-skills training is closing next month.
Our Thyme Cafe, an initiative of the Elizabeth Fry society, announced earlier this week it will be closing on Jan. 16. It has been operating since 2008.
Through the café, the non-profit organization provides services to women who are in conflict with the law, or at risk of becoming so.
The women learn job skills such as cooking, baking and catering, as well as customer support and other restaurant-related skills.
The café has been funded by the province's Department of Labour and Advanced Education, but federal support cuts mean they have less funding to offer employment projects.
"Our Thyme Cafe was one of the programs that received core funding under the old system, and we can no longer offer this," said Chrissy Matheson, spokeswoman for the department.
Funding requires fixed dates
She says they've had to change their focus away from core, year-round funding, and now offer project-based funding that has clear start and end dates.
"We've been communicating with the society about this change for a year now and met with them again this week," said Matheson. "They understand the challenges and the need to re-focus funding so we can deliver the best employment and education projects across the province."
Year-long training programs could include carpentry training or cooking courses.
Most organizations the department supports are already being funded on a project basis, she said, adding that it's unusual to have long-term funding.
A post on Our Thyme's Facebook page Tuesday announced the closing and generated responses from many supporters who were saddened by the news.
"We will continue to serve our customers, as usual, until we reach this closing date. Thank you to all of our customers who have supported us throughout the years!" the statement read, in part.
The Elizabeth Fry Society has not responded to requests for an interview.
The Labour and Advanced Education Department offers support with resume writing and career counseling, which may help the affected workers.