How WE can help

Women

One in five women in Canada will suffer from domestic violence in their lifetimes. To support them, we have developed programming and services that work, that take immediate and long-term needs and goals into account and provides personalized care for everyone who walks through our doors.

Our service includes:

Intake line

one-on-one emotional support

Referrals to other agencies

20-bed shelter & 2nd Stage Programming in 2 Individual Apartment Units

Separate support services for victims and offenders

ADVOCACY SERVICES

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During your time in the shelter, you will be provided three nutritious meals a day, and have access to washing facilities, learning areas, and communal areas with a television, books and magazines. Families may also access private rooms that are available in the shelter.

LEARN MORE ABOUT COLUMBUS HOUSE OF HOPE SHELTER

WHAT HAPPENS

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Ending a cycle of abuse often means making a complete break with your previous life, leaving behind a partner, friends, even your home town. We will be there to help you through this process: empowerment and taking control of your own life is key and we honour your rights to self determination. We will help support you to achieve your goals.

Education on Abuse and Family Violence

Peer-to-peer support groups and one-on-one sessions are available daily. Education and awareness topics include family violence, harassment, abuse and neglect. Know what your rights are, and what you can do about it.

Safety Plan

We can help you build a safety plan that you can use if you feel you or your children may be at risk. We’ll help you learn what precautions you and your children can take when at home, out in the community, and on the Internet.

Building a Support System

Identify the supports you have now, and work toward building social and community supports that provide for your specific needs.

Income Plan

If you have no source of income, learn what your options are for developing one, including the possibility of financial assistance, employment, or child support. We’ll help you develop a budget designed to work for you, to help you feel in control of your finances.

Parenting and Childcare Plan

Receive support and assistance to choose a method of childcare for your family when you are at school or work. Get help with parenting tips and support, access our on-site K-12 school and learn how family violence affects your children.

Emotional Support Needs, Self-Care and Physical Needs

Receive emotional support, help with goal setting, work on your self-esteem, learn about boundaries, and get referrals to counselors and therapists.

How we can help

Children

Our Child Support Worker will be on hand throughout your time in the shelter to provide one-to-one support for your children during what is likely to be a difficult and confusing time for them. Should a child need help from a child psychologist, we can assist you with direct access to a trained child psychologist for any child aged 3 to 17.

Our number one goal is to help your children feel safe. Our Child Support Workers are there to build trust and create a safe space for children during a stressful time, engaging them in play and learning activities through work with their mother/guardian.

Throughout each day, our Child Support Worker will work with the children on social skills and life skills, such as sharing, playing fairly, following rules, cleaning up and self-care.

We also have an on-site school so your child’s learning remains uninterrupted. But learning wouldn’t be complete without recess and playtime to explore their creativity. Our playroom and sensory room are full of activities to help stimulate creativity and learning.

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Playroom

From painting and playdough, to puzzles and toys, our trauma informed playroom is designed to help children deal with stress and past trauma.

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Sensory Room

Our Sensory Room is specially designed to help women and children engage their senses in a safe environment. Specially trained staff are available to work with you and your children to help with emotional regulation in a fun, relaxing environment.

We also provide essential services to assist in a better tomorrow for all children:

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SHELTER SCHOOL

Our Shelter School is available for all school aged children, K to 12, who reside in our emergency shelter with their Mother/Guardian. A Certified Teacher works with each child within the safety and security of the shelter. This program helps to ensure every child is supported with their education while in the shelter.

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PUBLIC EDUCATION

Community education and awareness of family violence are key in our prevention work. Our education and awareness programs focus on children, youth, indigenous populations and community agencies.

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SPIRITUAL & CULTURAL SERVICES

Our Spiritual Room is a quiet, private space women and children can enjoy throughout their shelter stay. It’s multi faith design allows for praying, meditating, smudging.

Traditional and Spiritual connections are valuable in every human being, in every culture. Elders help individuals and families connect to their own identity and enrich their physical, mental, spiritual and emotional being. Women and children accessing any of our programs have direct access to an Indigenous Elder.

How we CAN HelP

Families

In addition to working on yourselves, we'll work on your relationship as a family. The plans we work on will always take into account the specific dynamics of your family and we will work in group sessions to improve your ability to communicate and make sure that everybody is on the same page when moving forward.

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CHILDREN

Our Child Support staff are available to talk to you about any area of concern you may have in regards to your children. Our trained Child Care staff will work with your children in our trauma informed child care centre, encouraging expression and healing through play, crafts, reading and art.

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PETS

Through a partnership with the Alberta SPCA, we offer the Pet Safekeeping Program. With this program we will connect you to free, confidential, safe boarding for your pet while you are accessing any of our programs. Medical services for your pet may also be provided.

Please call for more details

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FAMILY UNITS

Using a circle concept, our Family Support Worker can work with you and members of your family.  Open communication, sharing and trust are foundations used to help family members heal from trauma

How we CAN HelP

The Community

Capella Centre works within our community to support everyone, young and old, male and female, to have healthy relationships free of violence and coercion. Our Community Outreach Worker can provide support for a number of individuals, groups and organizations.

Our service includes:

INDIVIDUALS

One-to-one counselling aimed at stopping patterns of abuse before they escalate and developing awareness of what constitutes abuse and how it can be stopped.

SCHOOLS

Schools: Age-appropriate education on all aspects of relationships, empathy and kindness:

•Grades 2-4: Friendship, empathy, kindness and respect, and physical boundaries

•Grade 5+: Empathy, friendship, boundaries, kindness and respect.

•Junior and High School: Empathy, respect, boundaries, self-esteem and authenticity, healthy relationships in your youth, online relationships and dating and relationship readiness

LOCAL AGENCIES

Local Agencies: everyone from the police to medical professionals to social workers may need to know how to handle domestic violence and family abuse issues. We can present Powerpoint presentations and lead discussions on how to understand and respond to the complex, emotionally taxing world of relationship violence.

SUPPORT GROUPS

Small gatherings where women can come to share their stories about domestic violence or to listen. To view our calendar of upcoming support group meetings, click here.

We also partner with community agencies to provide the family violence offender treatment program.

CULTURAL GROUPS

Led by an indigenous elder who provides ceremonies, one-on-one support and group support.

If you would like to contact our Community Outreach Worker, please use the form below to get in touch with us.

We also hold events across our region to support our work. You can see our regularly updated Events Calendar by clicking the button below:

How we CAN HelP

Domestic Violence Offenders

Through a partnership with community agencies, a treatment program is provided for offenders of domestic violence. The treatment program is Psycho-educational, utilizing a circle concept. Using a holistic approach, participants embark on a healing journey while being provided with tools and support for change.