Are Outreach Services Right For You?
Our free, confidential Outreach Program offers flexible, personalized and accessible support with no waitlist for individuals experiencing or moving beyond violence. This checklist can help you decide if it’s right for you:
You might benefit from Outreach Services if you:
- Need support but do not require shelter
- Want to create a safety plan
- May be navigating legal or finanical challenges related to domestic violence
- Are unsure about your next steps
- Would like support in connecting with resources and programs to help you feel safe, prepared and empowered
- Are ready to move forward at your own pace
What to expect:
- Safety planning
- Assistance/advocacy with housing providers and/or Ontario Works
- Support around the legal process including assistance in connecting with a lawyer and/or legal aid
- Completion of 2 hour free legal aid forms
- Referrals to lawyers
- Referrals and advocacy to other community agencies as needed
- Interpreters can be arranged
- One-on-one meetings
- Employment search support
- Education about violence against women
- Flexibility to meet in a format that works for you
Building Stronger Communities Together
Our Outreach Program is designed to meet individuals where they are by embedding support within trusted community organizations. Each of our workers specializes in providing personalized care, resources and wraparound support through these partnerships. Each partnership allows us to address diverse needs in Waterloo Region while building trust and accessibility.
Our Partnerships
Community Connections
At WCSWR, we are committed to ensuring our services meet the unique needs of everyone we serve. Through meaningful partnerships with organizations like the Coalition of Muslim Women of KW, the Canadian Arab Women’s Association (CAWA), and many others, we collaborate to provide culturally informed and accessible support.
Elder Abuse Unit
Through this partnership, an Outreach Worker is paired with a member of the Elder Abuse Unit of Waterloo Regional Police Services to provide specialized support for older women facing abuse. By collaborating with elder care facilities, this representative helps identify and address instances of abuse, creates personalized safety plans and connects individuals with necessary resources such as legal aid and counselling.
Youth Education Program
Our Youth Education programming works to teach healthy relationships and help eliminate gender-based violence in our community. This includes conducting presentations within schools and the community. Through eight-week programs or one-off sessions, the Youth Education Program is an opportunity for the youngest members of our community to learn about healthy friendships and relationships.
Transitional Housing
WCSWR is dedicated to providing comprehensive support for women and children transitioning from emergency shelters to independent living. This Outreach Worker provides support to our Transitional Housing Program to offer wrap-around services and connects each client with relevant community resources. This Outreach Worker helps support independence and develop personalized plans for long-term stability.
Family and Children’s Services
WCSWR is co-located with Family and Children’s Services (FACS). A WCSWR Outreach Worker is on-site at Family and Children’s Services and a FACS worker available at our emergency shelters to support our clients. Our Outreach Worker is available to consult with FACS clients, do rapids and refer clients to community resources and the Engaging Men Program as needed.
Family Violence Project
An Outreach Worker is available on-site at the Family Violence Project (FVP) to provide wrap-around services and support to women who need it. This Outreach Worker collaborates and consults with the other partner organizations in the FVP to provide a seamless service experience for people who go to FVP for support. All within one building, clients can access 12 different organizations providing support in moving beyond violence.
Community Groups
Women’s Crisis Services is more than shelter. WCSWR offers supportive groups to help people heal, connect and find resources while moving beyond domestic violence.
Safe Steps
Safe Steps is an eight-session program designed to help mothers better understand the impact family violence may have on their child’s development.
During the sessions, mothers discover ways to support their children in dealing with emotions, ways to repair attachment, build self-esteem and resilience.
The sessions are offered to mothers who are separated from their partner.
Safe Neighbours
Safe Neighbours is a community resource that gives individuals and teams in Waterloo Region the opportunity to gain tools and knowledge about how you can help someone you care about if you suspect they are experiencing domestic violence.
Safe Neighbours is led by an experienced social worker and is co-facilitated with an Engaging Men facilitator who talks about interacting with men who use violent behaviours.
Learn more here.
Trusting Loving Connections
Trusting Loving Connections (TLC) is a ten-week group program about strengthening relationships between a caregiver and their children. This program starts with the mother learning about their attachment styles and how this can effect their parenting. Later into the sessions, children join the program and work with their mothers in strengthening their relationships.
This session is offered to parents residing in our emergency shelters.
Interested in attending our Safe Steps program?
Fill out the form below to get in touch with us!
We Respect Your Judgment
We are here for you, no matter your decision. WCSWR is dedicated to providing tools to make informed decsions that foster safe families.
If you decide to leave:
Call our 24-hour support lines 519-653-2422 or 519-742-5894 or use the online chat in the bottom right corner to speak with a support worker today.
From there, we will explore safe options for you, including a safety exit plan, if applicable.
If coming to Women’s Crisis Services, you and your child(ren) may stay for up to twelve weeks*.
If you decide to stay:
If you decide to stay, but are in need of support or information, call our 24-hour support lines 519-653-2422 or 519-742-5894 or use the online chat in the bottom right corner to speak with a support worker today.
Our Residential and Outreach team can assist you in finding counselling, support, resources and information that keep you and your family safe.
*Due to the uncertainty and difficulty some may face finding safe, affordable housing, these stays may be adjusted on a case-by-case basis.