The Denise House offers a variety of programs to the women and children
who are in need of our services. Below is a list of the programs and
services we currently offer:
- A Safe and Protected Environment
- The shelter maintains a confidential address as well as
confidentiality to the women and children who use our
service.
- Twenty-four Hour Crisis Prevention
- The shelter offers a 24-hour crisis line and is staffed
24-hours a day, seven days a week. A TTY line has also been
implemented to facilitate calls from members of the deaf
community.
- Emergency Accommodation and Room & Board
- 27 beds are available for women and children. Meals,
clothing and basic necessities are also provided.
- Counselling Services for Abused Women
- Supportive counselling is available to women while they
reside at the shelter. Staff and volunteers provide options
and alternatives to aid women in making choices. An in-house
support group meets weekly, offering an opportunity to
discuss and learn more about abuse issues.
- Children's Program
- Child and youth workers provide support to children and
teenagers who come to the shelter with their mothers...many
of whom have witnessed violence. The Children's Program also
offers support and resources for children who previously
resided at the shelter.
- Information and Referrals
- The shelter is a crisis facility. Subsequently, numerous
referrals are made to outside agencies and resources such
as: police, lawyers, legal aid, counselling services, etc.
- Outreach Support Services
- Support groups, telephone contact and in-house visits
are available to women who would like ongoing support once
they have left the shelter.
- Non-resident Counselling Services
- Counselling is available to women who do not reside at
the shelter. An appointment can be made to meet with a
caseworker. Referrals are made for any resources a woman may
need in the community.
- A Volunteer Program
- The Denise House has numerous skilled and dedicated
volunteers who perform various functions at the shelter and
at the Donation Centre. Volunteers participate in a
comprehensive training program to prepare them for their
roles in the shelter environment.
- Public Education
- The Denise House maintains a speaker's bureau whereby
presentations, outlining the issues of woman assault, can be
offered to the general public. Representation and resources
are also provided for larger educational events.
- Housing Support
- Women who reside in the shelter are supported in their
search for independent housing. Assistance with attaining
priority status, housing searches, landlord advocacy,
start-up costs and other specific needs is provided.
- Transitional Support to Women in the Community
- Assistance to women to establish lives for themselves
and their children free from violence while they stay in
their own communities.
- Child Witness Groups
- Assistance and support to children recovering from
witnessing violence in their homes.
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