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Emergency Shelter Services

Yorktown Shelter for women offers a number of program and support services for the women and children who reside in the Shelter.

Counselling

One-to-One Counselling
All women entering the Shelter are assigned to a Primary Counsellor who ensures a range of therapeutic interventions and assumes the role of Case Manager.
Crisis Intervention
Counsellor intervention in the event of a client crisis occurs as required, both at intake, and throughout the client’s stay within the shelter. Ideally, the primary counsellor will work in collaboration with the clients in order to sort though the crisis; however, in the absence of the primary counsellor, another counsellor will assume this role and remain involved throughout the crisis, ensuring referrals to additional services as appropriate.
Safety Planning
Safety Planning is an important component of the counselling program whereby women must develop a safety strategy for use while in the shelter should her (and her child / children’s – if applicable) safety become compromised during her stay. The Safety Plan is later revised prior to discharge so as to incorporate a strategy that addresses the safety issues while living within the community. All Safety Plans are developed by the client in collaboration with the primary counsellor and incorporate the individual circumstances of each client. Safety Plans also include situations that should be avoided at all costs, so as to minimize the need for reaction.
COPE – Mother’s Group
COPE is a dual focus (mothers and children) prevention and education program that runs for eight consecutive weeks, twice per year. The purpose of COPE – Mothers is to promote effective parenting and introduce strategies that assist mothers to address the various issues associated with single parenting and violence.
Jobs Club
Jobs Club is an in-house pre-employment program that runs for 10 consecutive sessions, twice per year. Its purpose is to encourage shelter residents to plan sustainable futures for themselves, while simultaneously equipping them with the basic skills necessary to market themselves to employers and/or training institutions.
Transitional Workshop
The Transitional Workshop is an eleven-week support group for women who are either presently living in the shelter or have recently left. The primary focus of the program is to equip women with the life skills necessary to plan for and maintain a lifestyle free from violence. The program is unique in that it is continuous entry whereby women can choose sessions that interest them and ex-residents can attend sessions at their convenience.

Child Advocacy

One-to-One Counselling
All children entering the Shelter are assigned to a Child Advocate who ensures a range of therapeutic interventions and assumes the role of Case Manager.
COPE – Children’s Group
COPE is a dual focus (mothers and children) prevention and education program that runs for eight consecutive weeks, twice per year. The purpose of COPE – Children is to promote effective mother / child relationships and introduce strategies that assist children to cope with the trauma associated with experiencing and witnessing abuse. Ultimately the program serves to enhance school readiness and social skills levels.
Homework Club
Homework Club is conducted every weekday during the school year. Children are given the opportunity to receive support and assistance within a quiet and calm location while completing their homework or conducting assigned activities that promote study habits.
Art Activity Groups
Art Activity Groups focus on children 6 years of age and over. During the group sessions a series of social topics are introduced and elaborated upon by using a selected craft as the vehicle in which to introduce the subject matter.

Residential Women’s Advocacy

Accompaniment & Advocacy
This service is intended as a support to the counselling component. Clients who require assistance with income maintenance, health, housing, legal, and/or court matters are offered accompaniment and advocacy.
Referral
Here again this service is intended to support the counselling component whereby the Resident Women’s Advocate compiles and coordinates information about related community services and how to access them. The service requires a current data bank of relevant services, as well as an in-depth understanding of those services so as to ensure that clients are referred appropriately.

In-Service Housing Support

This program assists residents to reintegrate into the community through the provision of safe and affordable housing. The program’s primary objective is to assist clients to secure a rent subsidy; however, in instances where women do not qualify, the Housing Worker will assist the client to secure affordable housing via other means including market rentals.