Community group nears finish line on Trinity Bay North safe house project

A fund-raising comedy show in June starring Mary Walsh and Lisa Baker aims to help collect the remaining $42,000 needed for duplex renovations.

Thomas Jordan
Kicker 

 

ST. JOHN’S, N.L. – Marlene Butler, chair of the SaltWater Community Association (SWCA), remembers the moment that shifted everything.

In 2024, news spread through Trinity Bay North of a young woman who died while fleeing domestic violence. The tragedy hit hard in tight-knit rural communities where escape options remain scarce. Women often must travel hundreds of kilometres to reach shelters in St. John’s, Marystown, Gander or Corner Brook.

“That loss became our turning point,” Butler said. “We couldn’t stand by silently, so we decided we had to create a local safe space where women and children could rebuild free from fear.”

After years of unsuccessful funding bids for a traditional women’s shelter, the all-volunteer group changed strategies. In 2023, with help from Rhonda Tulk-Lane at MusicNL, SWCA launched the Raise Your Voice telethon. It raised just over $10,000, boosted by a short promo from actor Ben Stiller who was filming nearby for an unrelated project. Those funds allowed the group to buy a duplex in Trinity Bay North through the province’s tax arrears program in 2024.

In 2025, an anonymous Alberta donor gave $35,000. SWCA turned that into more than $60,000 worth of services including electrical, plumbing, vinyl siding, windows, doors, drywall, flooring, insulation and trim. The provincial Community Enhancement Employment Program added 1,305 man-hours of free labour, employing three local people for 12 weeks.

The duplex is now close to completion, with only a few final tasks remaining – such as installing weeping tiles around the full perimeter, building front and back decks, adding a basement sump pump, and finishing grading and landscaping. SWCA needs about $42,000 more to cover these costs. Extra funds would go toward appliances, bedding and basic household supplies to turn the house into a warm and welcoming home for women and children fleeing violent situations.

The organization is now planning a comedy show in June at the Jag Soundhouse in St. John’s. It will be headlined by two widely known performers, Canadian star Mary Walsh, and popular comedian and fellow Newfoundlander Lisa Baker. The organizers hope to bring in a significant portion of the remaining $42,000 needed to finish the renovations.

Pam Pardy, president of the Mental Health Foundation of Canada and owner of Pam Pardy Promotions, used her connections to bring the performers on board.

“When Marlene reached out, it was clear we shared the same values. What started as a conversation quickly became two community-minded people talking about how to support vulnerable women and children and how we can help turn compassion into action,” Pardy said.

Comedian Lisa Baker is stepping up for the cause. She says honest, open conversations about this issue matter so much.

“These events are a great opportunity for education and awareness while raising money for a desperately needed resource. It’s a win-win,” Baker said. “It also brings like-minded people together to network with others who may have possible solutions to challenges these organizations are facing, or have knowledge of resources that may be available to assist with things like funding.” 

Everyone at SWCA volunteers; none of the staff are paid. Fundraising is tough in a region where seasonal work leaves many on employment insurance much of the year.

“People here support us when they can,” Butler said. “But we can’t add more strain. We reach beyond our area to find help.”