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

COVID19 Update: Court case backlog -- clients may experience difficulties contacting local offices and should leave a message with return phone number; VWAP staff will return voicemail as soon as possible

• Provides information and assistance to support participation in the criminal court process
• Services begin once police have laid charges and continue until the court case is over

Offers:

• Case-specific information (court dates, bail conditions)
• Court preparation
• Needs assessment
• Emotional support
• Crisis intervention
• Referrals to community agencies

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

• 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 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 supportsFinancial support also available for:

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

Volunteers

• Recruits individuals to provide support to victims
• Provides individuals with specialized training at no cost

Volunteers will:

• Assist in developing a personalized safety plan for the victim
• Provide information about legal assistance and programs
• Offer referrals to long-term service providers within the community
• Provide temporary practical and emotional support

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

• Provides free legal advice and representation to eligible clients in certain areas of law
• Assists individuals representing themselves or in making official complaints
• Speaks to community groups, agencies and educational groups on a wide range of legal topics
• Answers questions on specific points of law and/or refers individuals to other agencies

Areas of focus include:

• Canada Pension Plan and Old Age Security
• Criminal Injuries Compensation
• Employment Insurance
• Human rights
• Rent increases and rent review
• Tenant rights
• Social assistance, including Ontario Works, Ontario Disability Support Program benefits and family benefits

Note: May be able to assist with commissioning affidavits and/or notarizing documents in the areas of laws practiced

• Operates a counselling centre dedicated to providing services to Francophone women who have experienced any type of violence including sexual, physical, psychological, verbal, economical
• Works toward creating a community where women and their children are empowered, respected and valued

Offers an array of services including the following:

• Fem'aide, a 24-hour crisis telephone service
• Individual counselling
• Support groups
• Referrals to other community agencies and services
• Crisis intervention services
• Accompaniment to various appointments and meetings
• Public education and awareness campaigns