Searching for Shelter For Abused Women

Major Services:

• 24 hour crisis lines for abused women
• HWP Chat provides online support, Mon-Sun 24 hrs, from a training Violence Against Women Counsellor
• safe shelter accommodation, food, and basic personal items for a maximum of 8 weeks for abused women and their dependent children
• individual and/or supportive group counselling at the shelter
• community agency information and referral when necessary
• court support for interim custody and restraining orders
• children's services
• emergency transportation to shelter, if necessary
• depart planning
• SafePet Program
• advocacy and public education around ending violence against women
• transitional support program
• accepts donations of goods for those in the shelter and those moving from the shelter to permanent housing (see list of needs here)

Family Court Support Worker Program

• information on the family court process
• assistance in preparing for family court proceedings (documenting history of abuse, accessing Legal Aid)
• referral to specialized services and supports in the community
• safety planning
• court accompaniment to proceedings when appropriate

Schools programs

• EngageMENt 'male ally' program is a conversation-based 8-week program led by a male facilitator that guides male students through discussion around popular and sports culture, through a gender lens, and discusses what 'healthy masculinity' means, wrapping up by planning an experiential or service learning initiative (participants may receive up to 15 volunteer hours toward their Community Involvement requirement)

Women's shelter open to all women but focused on serving the needs of Muslim women in abusive domestic situations, confidential address

• halal meals
• personal wellness and professional counselling available

COVID19 24/7 Crisis Line Support Program, Central Intake Line, Emergency Shelter Program, and Community Support and Outreach Program continue without disruption, as well as all support and counselling programs and services; enhanced screening in place using Ontario Ministry of Health Assessment Tool, PPE, and antigen test

• community and client meetings available by phone or online
• sexual violence counselling available by phone or online
• online Anti-Black Racism Sexual Violence Support Group
• 24/7 Crisis Line Support Program 905-403-0864, 905-676-8515, or 1-855-676-8515
• Central Intake Line 905-676-0257 or 1-800-676-0257 for Transitional Housing supports available 9 am-4:30 pm
• for donations, contact Julie Shultz, Development Manager, julie@embrave.ca
• visit website for updates and service information

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24-hour Crisis Line Support Line Program
Immediate support to survivors in the community who are experiencing any form of violence, including crisis support and intervention, risk assessment and safety planning, emotional support, information and referrals, problem solving and shelter intake

Central Intake Line for Transitional Housing Supports in Peel Region
First point of contact for transitional housing support program and community outreach services

• one-to-one support
• risk assessment and safety planning
• emotional support
• legal support (criminal, family, immigration)
• housing supports
• information and referrals
• problem-solving, advocacy
• shelter access

Emergency Shelter Program
24/7 intake for individuals and there dependents (up to 18 years) who have experienced, are currently experiencing, or are at risk of experiencing any form of violence

• capacity 54
• stay up to 4 months
• service provided regardless of geographical location
• referrals to alternative shelters as required based on safety or capacity issues

Sexual Violence Counselling Program
Emotional support and counselling, support groups, and information and referral, available in-person or remotely (phone, email, online)

• pressuring/convincing
• sexual assault
• childhood sexual abuse
• sexual harassment
• online sexual violence

Community Support and Outreach Program
Including safety planning, emotional support, information and referrals, and problem-solving, and assistance in accessing housing and shelter support, and legal and immigration support

COVID19 Transitional supports available, including in-home and remote casework

Culturally sensitive transitional shelter and essential supports for women leaving violence, and remote casework and mental health support for adults and youth

Resident and remote services:

• counselling and treatment programs
• financial assistance and help securing housing
• supports for health and mental health
• education assistance and life skills training
• employment supports including resume workshops, interview preparation, help finding employment
• assistance with immigration issues
• access to legal advice and assistance applying for Legal AID
• referrals including legal, financial, immigration, employment, food
• safety planning and follow-up
• capacity 12

Training and awareness for community organizations

COVID19 -- Shelter operating with enhanced screening and safety measures, including masks and distancing
There are current limitations to the available beds, call shelter line for current information


Short term emergency shelter for women, pre-screening intake assessment required prior to admission

COVID19 Emergency shelter open and accepting new referrals; enhanced screening and safety measures

Emergency shelter, including crisis individual and group counselling, practical information and assistance with legal services, housing support, food, clothing and personal care items, action plan development, life skills development, self esteem, parenting groups, computer training, and activities and homework club for children

• safety planning for residents and non-residents

Emergency shelter for women and their children leaving abusive situations.

• shelter for those experiencing physical, emotional, sexual, verbal, financial abuse and / or stalking or human trafficking
• safety planning
• assistance with housing, legal, financial and custody issues
• individual and group counselling
• advocacy / accompaniment to police, court, hospital, lawyer, housing, etc
• referral to community supports / resources
• access to all other Guelph-Wellington Women in Crisis programs
• education / training to community groups, schools, agencies on all aspects of woman abuse
• client library and resource materials

Note: Women and their children are provided with private bedrooms; single women share bedrooms; all other common spaces such as living rooms, bathrooms, kitchen, recreation and play areas are shared.

Offers secure, accessible emergency shelter services for women who are experiencing homelessness and are fleeing violence and abuse, as well as programs for the children of residents.

Offers secure, accessible emergency shelter services for women who are experiencing homelessness and are fleeing violence and abuse, as well as programs for the children of residents.

COVID-19 Update: Some services and support continue to be provided remotely - by e-mail, one-on-one phone support and video counselling. Visit Social Isolation Supports Online. This situation is being reviewed on an ongoing basis. The Crisis Line and shelter remain open.

Risk assessment, safety planning, one-on-one counselling, group counselling, workshops, emergency shelter, transitional planning, housing and legal support, custody and access support, victim impact statement and court preparation, advocacy and public education.

Programs include Marianne's Place (shelter), Transitional and Housing Support Program, Family Court Support Program, Rural Women's Support Program, Sexual Assault Centre, 24-hour Crisis Line, and the Anti-Human Trafficking Program.

Women's Centre of Hamilton is the sister site to Interval House of Hamilton. Provides support for women and their children who are experiencing domestic violence and abuse including:

• individual and group counseling
• employment assistance
• transitional outreach
• legal advocacy
• programs for the children of the residents

Interval House shelter remains open during COVID-19 with restricted intake procedures, including COVID-19 screening. Staff continue to provide assistance via telephone.
Provides support for women and their children who are experiencing domestic violence and abuse. Free emergency transportation is offered by taxi to Interval House.
Services include:

• emergency shelter
• housing support
• individual and group counseling
• employment assistance
• transitional outreach
• legal advocacy
• programs for the children of the residents

Sign-up and drop-in groups also available.

An emergency shelter for women and children experiencing domestic abuse, as well as programs for the children of residents.
Services available for residents include:

• child care
• legal advocacy
• referral to other community services
• safety planning
• transitional housing support worker

Offers transitional housing and support programs for up to 12 months for Indigneous women and children who are at risk of homelessness and poverty. The supportive housing facility is geared towards women and children who have been victims of violence.

COVID19 Shelter open, call for information

Residence and emergency shelter (capacity 18) including counselling for residents and non-residents, crisis intervention and sexual assault counselling

• Full-Moon ceremony, Sharing Circle and Healing Circle
• life skills program and cultural activities from Indigenous perspective

COVID19 Emergency shelter open and accepting new referrals, call for details

Emergency shelter, includes meals, clothing, counselling and referrals, crisis intervention, advocacy, housing help, life skills programs

• capacity 56
• maximum length of stay varies according to need

Women's Crisis Services of Waterloo Region operates two emergency shelters for abused women and their children: Anselma House in Kitchener (519) 742-5894 and Haven House in Cambridge (519) 653-2422 plus a regional Outreach program. They also offer transitional housing. Serve women age 16 plus, with or without their children.

Can be reached by text, instructions on website for how to erase browser history. Also offer translation services, both in person and on the phone.

This is a free service, both in shelter and outreach programs.

Emergency shelter, includes meals, clothing, counselling and referrals, crisis intervention, advocacy, housing help, life skills

• capacity 73
• maximum length of stay varies according to individual case plan
• safe environment
• spiritual care
• recreational events

Safe, spacious temporary residence, residential services include:

• in-house emergency case management
• trauma counselling
• support groups
• legal assistance
• food and clothing
• Fathering After Separation or Divorce - parenting program
• assistance with housing applications
• agency referrals for additional resources

Emergency shelter, capacity 32

• counselling and referrals
• advocacy and follow up
• court and immigration escort
• children's program and counselling
• legal and housing assistance

Transitional Housing and Outreach Support Program (TH&O)
Community-based support in obtaining affordable housing, including counselling, assistance accessing food supports, outreach, workshops and speakers bureau

COVID19 Call crisis line 416-724-1316 for intake, assessment and COVID19 procedures

Emergency short term shelter, capacity 35

• crisis intervention and counselling
• information and referral
• advocacy, awareness and education
• supportive groups for women and children
• children's programs
• average stay 6-8 weeks
• public education

Residence and emergency shelter

• crisis intervention
• counselling for residents

COVID19 Emergency shelter and crisis line open; other programs offered online or by telephone, call for details

Shelter (capacity 30) includes food, some clothing, crisis counselling, support groups, court support, information and referral, children's program; 24 hour crisis line

COVID19 Emergency shelter open, new referrals accepted if space permits; other services offered remotely where possible, call for details

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Emergency shelter
Includes telephone crisis counselling, support and advocacy, individual and group counselling, referrals and ex-resident follow-up and support

• capacity 33

Transitional Worker assists residents and women in the community in finding housing, job search training and English as a Second Language (ESL) classes

Building Opportunities for Women (BOW)
Assistance with resume writing, interview preparation, job search, academic advancement and school programs, computer training, skills development and life skills

VIBE (Violence Intervention Breakthrough Empowerment)
Prevention program offered in-house, and in schools and communities

• music interactive therapy, academic support, group sessions, leadership and mentoring, and recreational activities
• in-school programs include Media Interactive, Music Interactive, WIT (Whatever It Takes), and Man Up (mentorship)