Whether you are in shelter or accessing services through our outreach program, Women’s Crisis Services is committed to providing a safe, supportive and confidential place for you.
Programs We Provide
Our menu of programs and supports are provided to women and children accessing our services.
Addictions Support
We support shelter residents who are actively using substances by engaging in safety planning, discussing safe use, harm reduction, withdrawal, abstinence or recovery, and relapse prevention. We meet residents where they are in their substance use journey without judgment, and due to our community connections, we connect them to the appropriate resources for ongoing support.
Child and Youth Programming
Our Child and Youth Program offers emotional and psychological support for our youngest in-shelter residents. Supporting children in their healing, our child and youth staff members work with moms and children to enhance and support their relationship, communication, conflict resolution, and emotional regulation. Nearly half of our shelter residents are children, which is why we have countless programs available to support them through this transition.
Youth Education Program
Our Youth Education Program is designed to teach youths in Grades 6-8 about healthy relationships to help eliminate violence in our community. It is a preventative program that uses self-esteem building activities to highlight the importance of having a positive personal self-image.
Integrated Service with Family and Children's Services
In partnership with Family and Children’s Services (F&CS), our Clinical Support Workers provide assessment and short-term clinical intervention to F&CS clients. The goal of this program is to see a reduction in repeat domestic violence referrals and reduce the number of children placed in foster care as a result of domestic violence.
Music Therapy Program
As an alternative to talk therapy, our Music Therapist offers a safe, non-threatening outlet for expression. Offering individual, family and group sessions to our residents, music therapy is a great way to aid in the trauma healing process.
Nurse Practitioners
Offered at both Anselma and Haven House, our nurse practitioners are available for women to access when needed. These visits can range from quick check-ups to detailed physical exams for the women.
Food and Nutrition Programming
Not only does the dedicated food and nutrition team prepare well-balanced meals for our residents, they also offer programming to help the clients with meal planning and shopping on a budget. Our team works with the women to help them prepare for life after the shelter, and for many women in the shelter, cooking with the team provides them a fun-filled bonding opportunity.
Individual and Group Counselling and Support
Individual and group counselling and support is available for those who need extra help with coping and mental health support.
Child and Family Therapy
The Child and Family Therapist is available for children, adolescents and families who may need additional support in healing from their experience. As you work to move through and beyond violence, some struggles such as anxiety, self-esteem, behavioural concerns, anger, parenting or family communication support as a result of trauma may come up.
Clinical Psychologist
Designed to help women address the impact domestic violence had on them, our clinical psychologist is available to women both in-shelter and in the outreach program. Women are able to address a variety of issues they may face including mental health concerns, coping strategies, and mental health resources within the community.
Moving Beyond Group
Moving Beyond is an in-shelter group that allows participants the opportunity to explore critical topics including anger, self-esteem, guilt, shame and the impact of violence, all within a supportive, non-judgemental group environment.
Safe Steps Group
Safe Steps is a 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.
Trusting Loving Connections Group
A ten-week, group program to help mothers strengthen their relationship with their children. This group begins with mothers learning attachment styles and how this may affect their parenting, from there, children join the program to work with the mothers and ultimately strengthen their bond.
While staying in shelter is completely optional, below are some resources to help determine if this may be the right step for you.
If you decide to leave
Call our 24-hour crisis support line or access the online chat to speak with a support worker. 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*. While in shelter, you will have many programs and services available to you, some of those services include:
- 24/7 support
- Counselling
- Nurse practitioners
- Food and Nutrition Support
- Addictions Support
- Music Therapy Support
To read more about the in-shelter and outreach services, please click here.
If you decide to stay
If you decide to stay, but are in need of crisis support or information, you can call our 24-hour crisis support line or chat online with one of our support workers.
Our Residential and Outreach team can assist you in finding counselling, support, resources and information.