Searching for Shelters From Abuse

Offers emergency shelter to victims of human trafficking as well as crisis support and referrals.

Offer confidential, non-judgmental advice and support for women, non-binary individuals, and their children experiencing gender-based violence and abuse.

Services include:

• compassionate one-on-one and group counselling
• emergency accommodation and transportation
• safety planning
• child and youth programming
• violence prevention programs and education
• second-stage housing
• transitional housing and support
• legal advice and support

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

Women do not have to stay at the shelter to access any of the free, confidential services. The goal is to provide safety, support and empowerment to vulnerable women, Two-spirit, gender queer, trans and non-binary individuals in the community.

Provides shelter and services for women and children experiencing abuse. Services include:

• 24-hour support line (call or text - 905-356-5800)
• Counselling and emotional support for women and children/youth who are being or who have been abused
• Development of safety plans
• Transitional and housing support
• Public education programs
• Referrals

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

Services are available on an in-shelter or office visit basis.

Provides immediate safe housing, food and clothing to refugees arriving into Canada. Social, emotional and practical support is offered to each guest of the Matthew House to deal with experienced trauma and the challenges ahead. The Matthew House's main goal is to prevent homelessness for refugees at the very first point of entry into Canada. The shelter also provides full housing needs to women, men and children in Niagara affected by family breakdowns such as divorce or domestic violence or sexual violence. The staff at Matthew House act as case managers for this at-risk population.

A 40-bed emergency shelter for individuals and their children who are homeless and fleeing violence and abuse. Provides safe, short-term accommodation in private family-style units, safety planning and emergency transportation to the shelter, if needed, referrals and advocacy for legal, medical, financial, employment, housing and community services.

A 20-bed emergency shelter for women that includes support programs addressing homelessness, poverty, mental illness, and violence, as well as programs for the children of residents.

An emergency 22-bed shelter for women, with or without children, who are experiencing family violence, abuse and/or human trafficking. Offers emergency shelter, a safe environment, meals, and access to support workers.

COVID19 Emergency shelter open and accepting new referrals

Emergency shelter, including meals, crisis counselling and support, child care, referrals, outreach and housing support

• capacity 50
• length of stay depends on need

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

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

-------------

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)

COVID19 Emergency shelter and crisis line open; shelter accepts new clients with referral from Assaulted Women's Helpline, call 416-863-0511

Emergency shelter, capacity 25

• counselling
• ​crisis intervention by telephone
• child care program
• referrals and advocacy

COVID19 Emergency shelter open and crisis line 416-533-8538, text 647-370-8300, and chat iDetermine.ca available for support; community outreach counselling available, call for details

Emergency short term shelter, including crisis intervention and counselling, family support, and legal, housing, education and employment support; advocacy and outreach; workshops

• capacity 33
• Housing Connections (see separate listing) Community Partner, assistance with housing search and application process

iDetermine.ca
Online support for women experiencing violence and abuse; professional counsellors assist with emotional support, safety planning, referrals and information

Referrals from Assaulted Women's Helpline only, 416-863-0511

Emergency shelter, including counselling, crisis intervention, needs assessment, mental health and addiction counselling, immigration and housing assistance, referrals and support (medical, financial, legal, employment, housing, parenting, immigration, substance abuse, cycle of violence), and advocacy for clients and their children; children's program includes children's group, counselling and recreation

• capacity 27
• ex-residents support program

COVID19 Shelter open for current residents; others leaving abuse should call Assaulted Women's Helpline, 416-863-0511

Emergency shelter, including counselling, crisis management, needs assessment, referrals and support (medical, financial, legal, employment, education, housing), and advocacy for clients and their children; children's program includes individual and group counselling, recreational activities

• capacity 24
• 1 accessible room
• public education

COVID19 Contact or visit website for update on phone, virtual and in-person programs and services

Supportive community-based emergency and support services, includes shelter, crisis intervention, counselling, safety planning, and support group programs for women and their children

• information and referral
• accompaniment and advocacy
• assistance in obtaining services
• development of support networks
• outreach and home visit services provided in various community locations

Emergency shelter
Includes counselling, referrals, court and immigration escort, follow-up, and advocacy and assistance with housing, welfare, immigration, medical and legal services

• capacity 30
• children's programs

Transitional and Housing Support Program
Counselling, crisis intervention, safety planning, assistance obtaining affordable housing, and follow-up

Women and Communities Against Violence (WACAV)
Builds and strengthens linkages between under-serviced areas, supports service providers and shelters

COVID19 Shelter available Mon-Sun 24 hours; for shelter intake call Assaulted Women's Helpline 416-863-0511; all other services call 416-638-7335 ext 103

Violence Against Women (VAW) emergency shelter
Includes crisis intervention and group counselling, referrals and advocacy, court accompaniment, safety planning and service coordination, children's program, and community education

• capacity 40
• pet kennel available

Transitional support services
Includes assistance in finding permanent housing, subsidized day care and local schools

• psycho-educational workshops
• recreational activities and outings
• follow-up services

COVID19 Call for intake, and information on in-person, phone, email and online services

Long-term transitional housing, including trauma counselling, basic needs and essential support to re-establish independence; also settlement services, and information and referral on legal aid, immigration, social assistance

• capacity 7

Case management and programming in partnership with Mennonite New Life Centre of Toronto, see separate listing

COVID19 Emergency shelter open and accepting new referrals; Moving Program not accepting furniture donations at this time

----------

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

Moving Program accepts donations of furniture and funds to assist residents in reestablishing a home

Emergency shelter for men
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 Hostel Program 416-392-5547
Emergency accommodation in dormitory setting (capacity 240), with access to bed area 4 pm-8 am, includes day program, counselling and referrals, meals

• access to lounge, resource room, computers
• laundry and lockers available

Long Term Program 416-392-5542
Long term accommodation (capacity 134) with 24-hour bed access, includes counselling and referrals, meals and laundry, and on-site day nurse

O'Neill House Program 416-392-5407
Housing transition program (capacity 50)

Seaton House part of George Street Revitalization and scheduled to close by end of 2022, with residents moved to alternate locations, for information visit City of Toronto website for George Street Revitalization updates

COVID19 Emergency shelter open with enhanced safety precautions and screening; before visiting, call first for details on intake

----------

Intake Centre
Emergency shelter, includes food, clothing, medical care, assessment, counselling, referrals; assistance with permanent housing, education, job searches, life skills

• capacity 94
• 2 emergency crisis beds for survivors of human trafficking and sexual exploitation

Transitional housing, and access to immediate and specialized supports, including mental wellness, substance use, health care and crisis case management

• also longer term supports such as housing, vocational and educational planning
• capacity 5

Transitional housing including comprehensive wraparound support services

• 24 hour support
• life skills training, educational and vocational assistance, community-based trauma counselling and addictions treatment, and aftercare services
• residence up to 2 years
• capacity 6

COVID19 In-person pre-booked appointments available, and some groups resumed, contact for information; masking mandatory, and proof of double vaccination required prior to first appointment

Virtual mental health support available for seniors experiencing elder abuse

Individual counselling, group programs, support groups and practical assistance to help older adults 60 years and older, and those with disabilities 50 years and older, to deal with abusive relationships, difficult medical conditions (such as Alzheimer Disease, stroke, depression), cope with change and loss, explore housing alternatives, access community support programs, or other issues

Caregiver Programs
Individual counselling, support groups, workshops and discussion groups on issues including dealing with stress, accessing community services, coping with change and loss; also Virtual Caregivers Support Groups

Pat's Place
Short term accommodation for one senior facing abuse, maximum stay 60 days; Elder Abuse Consultation Team 416-586-9780 ext 422, provides support to professionals in the field