Searching for Shelter For Abused Women

• Offers on-site early intervention and crisis intervention
• Provides needs assessment, safety planning and referrals to community services
• Offers enhanced support for vulnerable victims
• Provides assistance with applications to VQRP+

Victim Quick Response Program+ (VQRP+)

Provides assistance with emergency expenses related to the eligible incident, including:

• home safety
• accommodation
• meals
• transportation
• basic necessities
• dependent care costs
• counselling
• traditional Indigenous health services
• cellular phones
• vision care
• dental care
• aids for victims with disabilities
• interpretation services
• crime scene cleanup
• government/medical documents
• funeral expenses

Additional assistance for victims of human trafficking includes:

• storage locker
• tattoo removal
• treatment at a recovery facility

Note: No direct reimbursement to victims for above supports

Financial support also available for:

• victims who sustained serious physical injuries during a crime
• parents of child homicide victims
• spouses of homicide victims

Provides legal assistance for low-income people

Services include:

• Legal representation for eligible clients who appear in court without a lawyer
• Legal aid applications and information over the phone
• Legal resources and referrals to other social assistance agencies
• A certificate program for complex and serious cases

Areas of law served include:

• Criminal
• Domestic violence
• Family

Does NOT cover applications for:

• Wrongful dismissal
• Change of name
• Personal bankruptcy
• Power of attorney
• Money lent to others or money owed to others
• Sponsorship of relatives
• Commercial litigation
• Real estate matters and libel
• Defamation and slander

Operates an emergency shelter for abused women and their children in a crisis situation

• Offers overnight shelter and the basic essentials required to be safe during a crisis time
• Provides a 24-hour crisis line

Operates a 24-bed emergency shelter for women and children who have been affected by abuse and violence

Offers the following services:

• Advocacy
• Assistance in finding housing
• In-House Child Care
• Parenting Skills
• Short and Long-Term Counselling

• Operates a 24-bed emergency shelter for women who have been victims of physical, emotional, or sexual abuse, and their children
• Operates a 24-hour crisis support phone line and walk-in crisis service
• Offers long-term and crisis counselling for women who have been victims of sexual assault or abuse both current and historic
• Offers educational groups on topics such as self-esteem, self worth, exploring the cycle of violence, healthy relationships, safety planning, housing, and advocacy
• Offers client referrals for counselling and to government services
• Provides community education and awareness on the issues of abuse
• Provides on site child care for women who are residents of the shelter for court dates, doctors appointments, group sessions
• Offers on site child care for non-resident women during group sessions, Call for information on programs offering this service
• Offers parenting support and counselling sessions
• Offers a Family Court Support Worker Program

Note: A woman does not have to be a resident of the centre to access these services

Provides information and assistance to support participation in and understanding of the criminal court process

• services begin once police have laid charges and continue until the court case is over
• information about victims' rights, the criminal justice process and their specific case (e.g., court dates)
• needs assessment and referrals to community agencies
• crisis intervention, emotional support, victim advocacy
• facilitates victim's input and liaises with Crown Attorneys, police, regarding bail, safety, resolution of charges, release conditions, publication bans, testimonial aids, trial preparation and court orientation
• information and support on Victim Impact Statements, Statement on Restitution
• facilitates access to court orders, such as bail conditions, probation orders, peace bonds
• debriefing and follow-up support

Vulnerable Victims and Family Fund

Provides financial and court-based supports to enable victims of crime and families of homicide victims to attend court, including:

• Travel arrangements and expenses
• Language interpretation
• Real-time captioning or other equipment for victims with disabilities

Provides legal advice and assistance to individuals who do not have the means to assert or defend their legal rights through the following services:

• Client representation in clinic areas of practice
• Free summary legal advice
• Information and referral
• Law reform advocacy
• Public education
• Specialized legal services

Services are offered in the following areas:

• Canada Pension Plan (CPP) and Old Age Security (OAS)
• Canada Child Benefits (CCB)
• Consumer and Credit/Debt issues
• Employment Insurance (EI)
• Employment Standards (ESA)
• Human Rights
• ID Bank
• Native Status applications
• Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP)
• Ontario Works (OW)
• Residential Tenancies (tenants only)
• Workplace safety and injury

Note: No advice or representation is given regarding Family Law, Criminal Law, or Refugee Law

Operates a short term 10-bed emergency shelter for women who have been victims of physical, emotional, sexual or financial abuse, and their children

• Provides public education workshops and seminars to raise awareness about the issues and impacts of violence against women and children
• Gratefully accepts donations of money, furniture, lightly used clothing or any household items or appliances

Services provided include:

• 24-hour crisis line
• Advocacy
• Child Support Worker
• Counselling support
• Court accompaniment and referrals
• Emergency transportation
• Referral to community services
• Transition and safety planning

Transitional Support Services include:

• Counselling
• Educational upgrading
• Health and wellness services
• Housing
• Income support
• Job training
• Legal assistance/legal aid
• Parental support

Operates an emergency men's shelter

• Offers a six-bed two-storey home for displaced men and their children
• Includes a garage, two common rooms, a full kitchen and private backyard
• Provides access to the programs/services (such as advocacy and counselling) offered through the Women's Shelter

Operates an emergency shelter for abused women and their children

• Provides a 24-hour crisis line
• Offers short-term support counselling and transitional housing
• Provides advocacy and referrals to appropriate community supports and resources
• Provides outreach services such as understanding options in making life choices and offering assistance in accessing housing, legal and other community services

Also provides the following programs and services:

• Larry's Place Men's Shelter
• On-site Pet Shelter, including a Pet Therapy program
• Something More Lawrence House (second-stage housing)

Provides information and assistance to support participation in and understanding of the criminal court process

• services begin once police have laid charges and continue until the court case is over
• information about victims' rights, the criminal justice process and their specific case (e.g., court dates)
• needs assessment and referrals to community agencies
• crisis intervention, emotional support, victim advocacy
• facilitates victim's input and liaises with Crown Attorneys, police, regarding bail, safety, resolution of charges, release conditions, publication bans, testimonial aids, trial preparation and court orientation
• information and support on Victim Impact Statements, Statement on Restitution
• facilitates access to court orders, such as bail conditions, probation orders, peace bonds
• debriefing and follow-up support

Vulnerable Victims and Family Fund

Provides financial and court-based supports to enable victims of crime and families of homicide victims to attend court, including:

• Travel arrangements and expenses
• Language interpretation
• Real-time captioning or other equipment for victims with disabilities

• Provides free legal advice and assistance to low income earners
• Offers representation in a court or at a tribunal, such as the Social Benefits Tribunal or the Landlord and Tenant Board
• Assists with preparing documents, such as an application to the Landlord and Tenant Board

Services are offered in the following areas:

• Consumer and Credit/Debt issues
• Employment Insurance (EI)
• Employment standards (ESA)
• Old Age Security (OAS)
• Health and disability
• Housing law for tenants
• Human rights
• Immigration law
• Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP)
• Ontario Works (OW)
• Wills and Power of Attorney (POA)
• Completing forms or advocating for seniors

Note: No representation is given regarding Family Law, Criminal Law, or Refugee Law

Provides information and assistance to support participation in and understanding of the criminal court process

• services begin once police have laid charges and continue until the court case is over
• information about victims' rights, the criminal justice process and their specific case (e.g., court dates)
• needs assessment and referrals to community agencies
• crisis intervention, emotional support, victim advocacy
• facilitates victim's input and liaises with Crown Attorneys, police, regarding bail, safety, resolution of charges, release conditions, publication bans, testimonial aids, trial preparation and court orientation
• information and support on Victim Impact Statements, Statement on Restitution
• facilitates access to court orders, such as bail conditions, probation orders, peace bonds
• debriefing and follow-up support

Vulnerable Victims and Family Fund

Provides financial and court-based supports to enable victims of crime and families of homicide victims to attend court, including:

• Travel arrangements and expenses
• Language interpretation
• Real-time captioning or other equipment for victims with disabilities

Operates a 10-bed short term emergency shelter for women who are victims of abuse, and their children

• Provides a 24-hour support line
• Provides emergency transportation to women living outside the community who need to come to the shelter
• Provides accompaniment to appointments
• Provides access and referral to available community resources
• Supports women in obtaining clothing, furniture and household items when in need
• Provides an emergency food cupboard for women accessing shelter services
• Offers women's support groups
• Offers a resource library
• Provides public education and presentations on abuse