Message from Cornerstone
The Women in Crisis project is Ottawa's response to the growing concern of women and homelessness. It is one of 5 community agencies administered by the Anglican Diocese abd has been in existence since 1983. The Women in Crisis project offers emergency refuge for 39 women per day at the Women's Shelter, and long term support housing at 515 MacLaren for women who need some additional assistance to live independently in the community.
Twenty-four hours a day and seven days a week, a team of dedicated and highly qualified staff are available to provide crisis counselling, support and welcome to any woman who arrives at the door with no place to stay.
Who are the women who seek shelter at the Women in Crisis Project?
The women who come to the Women's Shelter and to 515 MacLaren come from all backgrounds, races and life circumstances. A homeless woman may:
- have left an unhealthy relationship after years of abuse
- be suffering from the long term trauma of child physical and sexual assault
- have been released from or turned away from a local psychiatric hospital due to a bed shortage
- have been evicted due to inability to pay her rent
- have lost her job due to downsizing or cutbacks
- have come to Canada as a refugee from a war-torn country
- be suffering from a depression or mental illness which has left her vulnerable to poverty and homelessness.
- have become too physically ill or elderly to live on her own
- struggle with long term addiction which has left her with few skills and poor education
- have not adequate personal or professional supports to help her though a personal crisis
In 1996, the Women in Crisis project provided emergency shelter to 365 different women. 515 provided permanent supported housing to 27 women.
The truth is any woman could be homeless.
We, at the Women in Crisis project, believe that all women are capable of developing their potential and changing their circumstances given the right support.
We are convinced that the people of Ottawa-Carleton would not want any woman to be hungry, homeless or unsafe on the street.
And so, we continue to provide a safe, welcoming refuge for women who have no other place to live.
And we are working to create real community solutions to end homelessness for good.
Will you join us?
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