Searching for Shelter For Abused Women

Provides safe, secure shelter for women, with or without children, who are fleeing abuse in their lives.
Services include:

• 24 hour support by phone and in the shelter
• transportation to the shelter (dependant on situation)
• food and emergency clothing while at the shelter
• all meals included
• community referrals
• court and housing support

Family Court Support Worker Program provides information on the family court process and assistance with:

• documenting the history of abuse for family court proceedings
• referral to specialized services and supports in the community
• safety planning
• court accompaniment to proceedings when appropriate

START Program : START is a service hub, available by appointment on Mondays, 9:30 am - 3:00 pm, for women who have concerns about the safety of their relationship or who would like to find ways to move forward in their lives. Call to book an appointment.

Provides a safe, short-term residence for women and their children who are seeking safety from family violence.

• One-on-one counselling
• In-house programming to meet the needs of the women and their children
• Referrals to other services
• Emergency transportation
• Children's program
• Non-Residential Program for After-Care
• 1-800 toll free crisis line across Ontario
• Serves Indigenous and Non-Indigenous

Women's Resources provides emergency shelter, support and referral for abused women, those identifying as women, and their children in the City of Kawartha Lakes. Outreach appointments can be conducted in person or virtual. All current COVID protocols are in place.

• 24-hour crisis line and emergency shelter staffed 24 hours a day.


• Community services include: individual counselling, housing supports, support groups, Bridges of Kawartha Lakes, Family Court Support and a resource library.
• Resource Centre - information and education on women's abuse and women's issues
• Outreach Services - supportive, one-to-one counselling for those who have experienced past abuse or are experiencing current abuse
• Bridges of Kawartha Lakes - connects women with necessary community partners and resources such as housing, legal aid, children's aid, medical consulting and parenting support
• Family Court Support - Information, support and referrals to help women navigate the family court support system
• Support Groups - support groups for women who have experienced violence in their lives
• Child Witness Program - groups for children who have been exposed to violence and abuse in their home. Sessions involve both boys and girls and groups are organized by age.
• Individual teen counselling for youth ages 12-16 who are experiencing abuse or issues of past abuse including sexual abuse. All calls are confidential.
• Public Speaking and Education - Women's Resources offers speakers to church groups, schools, service clubs and other organizations or businesses who are interested in learning more about Women's Resources or issues related to women abuse.
• Vicky's Values - gently used clothing store provides affordable quality clothing and household items to the community.
• Volunteers - are the cornerstone of Women's Resources. We rely on their dedication and commitment to support the services we provide. If you are interested in becoming a Volunteer, please call 705-878-5938 or go to our website https://womensresources.ca/join/

The shelter offers temporary accommodations for women and their children who are seeking shelter from abusive relationships.

• Various forms of abuse are acknowledged (ie: physical, emotional, sexual, verbal, etc)
• Counselling is available to both women and children throughout their stay. Counsellors assist women to build connections with a variety of community services and resources
• Shelter services are available 24 hours a day
• A barrier free room is available to support women with physical challenges
• 24 hours crisis and support counselling is available to women in the community through the support line
• Cornerstone Connect: Text & Chat support for violence and abuse. Text (289) 210-4774 or Chat online at rc.chat/cornerstonefvpc. Mon-Sun 6 pm to 6 am
  • Visit cornerstonenorthumberland.ca/connect for more information

Secure shelter includes individual and group counselling and supports

• parenting support for residents with children and youth
• housing and moving assistance
• pet-friendly shelter

24/7 Support Line
Crisis counselling, supportive listening, abuse education, and assistance in identifying community resources dealing with relationship abuse and domestic violence

Community Counselling and Support Program
Individual and group counselling and supports for women living in the community, including development of safety plan and support to identify options and resources

Second Chance Gently-Used & New Clothing Store
Clothing for all ages and genders

• ​economical prices
• accepts clothing donations

Office is open to staff, clients and essential visitors only and they will be permitted to enter if they are feeling well and do not have symptoms associated with COVID-19. All persons entering are required to wear a mask and should be prepared to participate in the COVID-19 screening process.

• 24 HOUR CRISIS LINE - 613-476-2787
• TEXT LINE - 613-919-8055
• Counselling, information, advocacy and referrals for women who are in or have left an abusive relationship
• 24hr crisis intervention and transportation to safe shelter
• Support groups
• Second-stage free housing with the exception of second stage housing where rents are geared to income
• Kiosan-Second Stage Housing provides safe, secure, income geared units for up to one year

Shelter support and crisis counselling services, including confidential 24-hour telephone or in-person crisis and supportive assistance

• secure emergency shelter, capacity 27 crisis beds
• emergency transportation to shelter
• food, clothing and basic personal necessities
• supportive counselling and safety planning
• crisis counselling and transitional support
• children's program
• help finding community resources and supports
• legal and court support referrals and rights information
• assistance with special priority for rent geared to income housing
• language interpretation arranged with notice

Community Support
Support to women and their children, who are currently involved in an abusive relationship, are planning on leaving, or have left abusive environment and require support

• help to establish short and long-term goal planning based on individual needs

Support and follow-up provided by telephone, email, home visits or meeting at alternative safe location

• short-term supportive counselling
• goal planning
• safety planning
• advocacy, resources and referrals
• housing support groups for women and youth/children

COVID19 - remains open * provides counselling by phone


Emergency shelter

• 15 bed shelter
• services include counselling, referrals and advocacy
• transitional support and children's advocate worker
• crisis line

Emergency shelter and free, confidential services to women who are or have experienced abuse

• 24-hour crisis line
• access to resources and support services
• promote public awareness

24 Hour Crisis Support.

Domestic Abuse Shelter providing up to 6 week stay. Safety Plan assistance, referrals to support agencies, and legal supports.

24 Hour Crisis Support.

Domestic Abuse Shelter providing up to 6 week stay. Safety Plan assistance, referrals to support agencies, and legal supports.

Provides accessible temporary accommodations for women (and their children) who are fleeing abuse

• private, safe and comfortable place designed for independent living with access to support staff
• length of stay is limited

Holistic shelter for women and children leaving crisis situations

• individual & group counselling
• advocacy
• referrals
• educational sessions
• circles and traditional healing

Emergency shelter and support, including clothing, food, crisis intervention, counselling, children's program, referrals, advocacy, housing supports, workshops

• capacity 36
• stay up to four months, or longer if dealing with legal or immigration issues

Green Haven Shelter is a safe alternative to an abusive home.
Trained staff are available 24/7. Safety and confidentiality are key priorities. Information on options, rights, resources, and referrals to services that best meet clients needs will be provided. These could include legal, financial, housing and employment issues. Concerns about the impact of exposure to violence and the effect of trauma on both children and women can be explored.

Programs available include:

24 Hour Crisis Line

• Immediate telephone support
• Crisis intervention
• Toll-Free: 1-888-285-6958
• Local: 705-327-7319
• Text: 705-345-1302
• Email: crisis@ghws.ca

The Residential Shelter Program

• Safe, secure refuge 24 hour / 7 days a week
• Informal, confidential support and crisis counselling
• Financial, legal and housing information and referrals
• Information on community resources and referrals
• Emergency transportation
• Safety planning

Transitional Housing Support Services

• Housing alternatives for women in residence or from the community
• Employment and education opportunities
• Applications to subsidized housing programs
• Income support and budgeting, financial resources and options
• Information and support regarding legal aid
• Parenting support resources
• Local: 705-327-7383 ext 222
• Email: transition@ghws.ca

The Community Outreach Program

• An alternative to the Residential Shelter Program
• Court/legal support
• Confidential individual and/or group counselling by appointment
• Local: 705-329-2806
• Email: outreach@ghws.ca

Child and Youth Services

• Individual and group counselling
• Recreational and play activities, including arts and crafts
• School support while residing at the shelter
• Parenting support for mothers​
• Local: 705-327-7383 ext 225
• Email: youth@ghws.ca

Residence and emergency shelter

• crisis intervention
• counselling for residents

Emergency shelter for men, including short term problem solving and referrals, case management, housing and employment assistance, addiction counselling and harm reduction, assistance accessing income supports, primary health and mental health supports, life skills activities, and recreation

• capacity 92
• access to Housing Connections (see separate listing) Community Partner, assistance with housing search and application process
• pet friendly environment

COVID19 Emergency shelter and crisis line open, call 1-800-661-8294

Emergency shelter and 24 hour crisis line and crisis intervention, including support, counselling, advocacy, information and referral, legal information and court support, women's groups including transition support program, and Let's Talk children's groups; also second stage housing and outreach programs

• capacity 30
• multicultural focus
• public education

Secure locations in Jackson's Point and Richmond Hill, call for information; also Keswick Outreach 905-476-8992, Markham Outreach 905-479-4551

Emergency shelters and crisis line, call 1-800-263-3247

Emergency shelter, crisis intervention, outreach, counselling and support services

Emergency Shelters
2 shelters, 24 hour crisis line and crisis intervention

Community supports
Non-shelter resident services include counselling and group supports for women and children, parenting programs, legal support program, and transitional housing support, public education and prevention programs, and volunteer opportunities

COVID-19 (28 Mar 2022): ​The shelter and crisis line services are unchanged. Increased screening, physical distancing in shelter. The crisis lines remain operational: 1-800-667-1010 or 613-354-1010. See Facebook Page for latest updates.

Shelter for abused women with or without children

• 24 hour crisis line, safe shelter, counselling, referral, information, transportation, advocacy, court and other accompaniments, and children's programming
• capacity of 16 beds

Emergency shelter, including meals, counselling and support, orientation and interpretation, referrals, medical support, outreach and housing support, child care

• capacity 106
• length of stay depends on need

Emergency residence with 27 beds for women and their children who are experiencing abuse in their significant relationships, residential services include:

• Safe, temporary accommodation
• Crisis telephone and on site counselling
• Children's services for residents
• Legal and court support
• Information and referral
• Education, advocacy and assistance with social services including Ontario Works, Ontario Disability Program and Social Housing
• Emergency transportation if required
• Emergency Residential support for women experiencing human trafficking

Outreach services include legal advocacy and court support, individual counselling, groups, information and referral, education, advocacy,assistance with social services and community services including Barrie Food Bank

Donations of food, new household items and clothing accepted by appointment, call for information at 705-728-6300

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

Have created a Violence Prevention video series, designed for youth, but accessible to all on a variety of topics related to healthy relationships. Visit: www.barrieshelter.com/resources/ to view the five videos. Check back as additional videos will be added soon.

Winter Sponsorship Program

• Matches families staying at the shelter and those families that access outreach services with individuals or businesses, who would like to "adopt" a family in need and provide a Christmas of gifts, gift cards and food gift certificate/food items
• To sponsor a family, contact the Shelter at 705-728-6300

Emergency shelter for men, including short term problem solving and referrals, case management, housing and addiction counselling, and harm reduction

• access to Housing Connections (see separate listing) Community Partner, assistance with housing search and application process

Emergency Shelter Program, 416-392-5522, 416-392-5527
Emergency accommodation in dormitory setting, with access to bed area 4 pm-8 am, includes day program, counselling and referrals, meals, and access to lounge, resource room, computers

• capacity 72
• laundry and lockers available

4th Floor Winter Respite Program, 416-392-5542
Respite accommodation for men 50 years and older in residential crisis with a documented need for 24-hour bed access, men 18-49 years with chronic health problems may be accepted

• capacity 100
• includes counselling and referrals, meals and laundry, and on-site day nurse

Annex Harm Reduction Program, 416-397-5598, 416-338-3190
Overnight wet shelter for men 18 years and older, ineligible for service in other programs due to chronic alcohol use, or who are vulnerable in other programs due to their behaviours related to alcohol use and/or mental illness

• capacity 51
• includes Managed Alcohol Program (MAP) and client centred case management services

Infirmary Program, intake nurse 416-392-5623, Infirmary shift leader 416-392-6706
Acute, respite, chronic and palliative care for men 18 years and older with complicated health care issues currently using the hostel system, including medical assessment, primary care and clinical case management

• capacity 22
• in partnership with St Michael's Hospital (see separate listing) and University of Toronto Faculty of Medicine

O'Neill House Program, Seaton House Overdose Prevention Site (SHOPS), 416-392-5407
Safe drug consumption site serves Seaton House residents

George Street Revitalization includes Seaton House programs, with residents moving to alternate locations, for information visit City of Toronto website for George Street Revitalization updates

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