YWCA – Helping women safely create change

When a woman finds the courage to listen to her heart – that voice inside that knows what she’s living with is not okay – the YWCA is here.

Here to answer her call in the middle of the night, to help her navigate the complicated systems that lie ahead, to meet her in a safe place so she can create a plan – whatever she needs to safely create change.

Why is this so important? Because gender-based violence costs women their lives: a woman in Canada is murdered every 2.5 days, more than half of whom are murdered by male intimate partners.

YWCA is here to support every woman’s right to live free from violence and abuse.

You are not alone.

“We walk beside a woman for a period of time, look at the world from her perspective and remind her how far she’s come so she can clearly see what she’s walking towards.”

Who we are

Since 1986, the YWCA has been a trusted source of safety, resources and support for women in Haliburton County. From counselling, to accommodation, to Family Law information and more, the YWCA offers free, confidential, women-centred services to help women and their children safely escape abuse and move forward in their lives.

How we help

YWCA Women’s Centre of Haliburton County provides:

Transition Support

Free, confidential support to women who are fleeing abuse or are concerned about the health of their relationship:

  • support by phone or in person with flexible meeting arrangements at safe locations throughout Haliburton County
  • safety assessment and risk management
  • accompaniment Court Support for Criminal and Family Court matters
  • accompaniment to appointments and case conferences
  • housing information (rent-geared-to-income/social housing, market rent and referrals to Homelessness Coordination Response team – HCRT)
  • transportation to appointments
  • emergency transportation to safety
  • support and information about navigating systems such as: Ontario Works and Ontario Disability, Family Court and Criminal Court, and Children’s Aid Society
  • information to help better understand the effects of violence and trauma, both on women and children

Clinical Therapy

Group and individual counselling/therapy for women who are seeking clinical support for issues relating to trauma, abuse, historical or recent sexual violence that may be impacting them and their relationships.

A joint program through the YWCA and the Women’s Health Care Centre of Peterborough Regional Health Centre.

Family Law Information & Support Services:

Family Law Virtual Legal Clinic

In partnership with Luke’s Place, who specializes in Family Law information for women who have been in abusive situations, women can meet with a lawyer through video conference and gather the much needed information about their rights and legal advice.

Family Law Lawyer

A Family Law Lawyer attends the YWCA Women’s Centre and can provide Legal Information.The YWCA provides women with a 2 Hour Free Legal Advice Form and a list of Family Law Lawyers. This service helps women who want to secure a lawyer to help them with Child Custody and Access, Human Trafficking or Immigration matters.

HERS – Halliburton Emergency Rural SafeSpace

HERS provides a unique safe space within Haliburton County so that women and their children can move away from the abusive situation in their home, without leaving their support systems, jobs and schools, families and friends behind.

Both of the YWCA’s two bedroom units of temporary housing are available on an as-needed basis. While staying at HERS, families live independently and have access to support staff 24 hours a day. A wide range of supports, including clinical counselling/therapy, information about housing and income supports, assistance navigating the Family and Criminal Court systems and more, are also available.

“The hardest part for me was believing that it wasn’t my fault and that if I left, I would be able to live a different life. The women helped me see that I could leave and helped me to develop enough belief in myself to protect me and my kids.” 

– YWCA Client

We encourage you to contact us directly for more information at 705-286-6442 or ywcahal@ywcapeterborough.org. (For afterhours inquiries or referrals, please call 1-800-461-7656.)

How you can help

YWCA Women’s Centre of Haliburton County and HERS relies on your donations. Your generous support helps give women and their children a path to safety and an opportunity for a fresh start.

“When you look back on your life and realize how fortunate you’ve been, it’s an easy decision to make. The thought of what some women have been through, it’s just incomprehensible. How could we not help?”

 – Lizette and Jim Robinson, Donors

All donations made in Haliburton County stay in Haliburton County, helping local women answer questions about their relationship, receive legal support, make a change, and find a safe place to stay.

To make a donation, please call 705-286-1942 or visit the YWCA Women’s Centre located at 11 Bobcaygeon Road, open weekdays between 9 am – 4:30 pm. Donations can also be made online at www.ywcapeterborough.org.

Remember, you are not alone

For free, confidential, 24 hour support, call 705-286-6442 or 1-800-461-7656, text 705-991-0110, or visit the YWCA Women’s Centre weekdays between 9 am – 4:30 pm, located at 11 Bobcaygeon Road, Minden.

24 HOUR SUPPORT & CRISIS LINE
CALL | 705-286-6442 or 1-800-461-7656
TEXT | 705-991-0110

YWCA WOMEN’S CENTRE OF HALIBURTON COUNTY
PO Box 348, 11 Bobcaygeon Road, Minden, ON K0M 2K0
705-286-1942

https://ywcapeterborough.org