Mission
Gillian’s Place (formerly known as Women’s Place St. Catharines & North Niagara) offers hope to women and children by providing safety and support through a range of services and by working through effective partnerships with our community to end violence and abuse.
Vision
Women and children are free from violence and abuse.
Agency overview
As one of Ontario's first shelters for abused women and children, Gillian’s Place has been providing safe refuge and non-residential programs that enable women and their children to break the cycle of violence for over 30 years. More than 12,000 women and their children have found safe emergency shelter and essential support services since 1977.
Qualified and experienced staff provides immediate assistance through our 24/7 support line, 24-hour support counselling; one-on-one and group counselling. Emergency safe shelter, meals and clothing are provided. Child and Youth programs are available to help the children dealing with the trauma they have experienced through trained child and youth counsellors. Many recreational activities are provided to allow children to have fun and just be kids.
In addition, we provide outreach support services for abused women living in the community. The program has two components, a Transitional Worker to assist women and their children to develop a plan from living in an abusive relationship to independent living free from violence. This includes linking women to support services in the community such as housing, daycare, educational upgrading, employment, income support and health and wellness services. Planning for safety of the family is reviewed with each woman as they enter the program. The second critical component is our Manager of Legal Services, a family law lawyer, providing advice. Our legal services program is able to assist with legal advice on issues of child custody and access, support and property division. She can fill out and review legal papers including interim custody and access agreements and advise of your legal rights. Having a solid understanding of the legal system she is able to advocate and access information with the police and criminal justice system. To our knowledge, we are the only shelter in Ontario who has a full time family lawyer on staff.
Our facility is fully accessible and translation services are available. It is not necessary to live in the shelter to access the free and confidential support services we provide. Gillian's Place is the only shelter and supportive services agency for abused women and their children in Grimsby, Lincoln, West Lincoln, Niagara-on-the-Lake, St. Catharines and Thorold.
Our history
On August 6, 1977, a small number of volunteers opened Niagara’s first safe haven for abused women and children at 9 Salina Street, St. Catharines and began to provide emergency shelter, food and counselling. On the very first day women and children fleeing violence and abuse filled the 8 bed shelter. It soon became apparent the Salina Street facilities were insufficient to meet demand, and so, in 1983, Women’s Place built a new shelter in downtown St. Catharines. The three-floor, 24-bed facility operated 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. With more women to help we expanded our range of services.
Eventually during the early years of 2000, our shelter space again was not sufficient for the demand we were experiencing. We needed to expand. Our community and government partners responded strongly to our need. A building committee was created when the former Victoria School on Niagara Street was acquired in 2004. As a result, the plan to convert an old school into a safe haven became the Rebuilding Lives – Restoring Hope Capital Campaign. Renovations began in earnest as the goal was to move into this new facility in the fall of 2007. Through the generous support of our community, the federal and provincial governments, this vision became reality.
A new beginning, began . . . On November 16, 2007, Women’s Place St. Catharines and North Niagara celebrated the official grand opening at the new location on Gibson Street. This momentous day was a confirmation of the generosity of our community and government partners. The support from our donors, sponsors and volunteers was extraordinary. Our new name is in honour of the former Executive Director Gillian Dooley, who led our organization from 1980 -2007. Gillian was instrumental in fighting the cycle of violence against women, the effect of her work not only in the community but known nationally. She developed violence prevention programs with the District School Board of Niagara, established a long term counselling agency for abused women called Design for a New Tomorrow, and was a founding member of the December 6 Project, which recognizes the anniversary of the 1989 massacre of 14 women in Montreal. In 2005 partnering with the Niagara Regional Police Services, a Leadership Summit on Family Violence was organized as an ongoing project that continues today “Stop Family Violence, It’s Everybody’s Business”. This project is to educate employers on the costs and effects of family violence on their business and how they can support their employees.
In making the announcement of the name change, Monica Willows, the past president of the board of directors, said “….her commitment and innovation will leave a legacy for hope for people living in fear that will echo for years to come.”
Gillian’s Place has 18 bedrooms for 34 people; as well we are fully accessible with an elevator to all floors. A number of common rooms were included such as a quiet room, teen room, TV room and we were able to refurbish the original gymnasium. All of this new and improved space allows women more privacy to help in the process of healing. Another needed improvement was the number of counselling rooms – we went from one room to four. Our counsellors are experts in their field providing counseling, understanding and advocacy for abused women to access the community programs and resources they require. We are also pleased to have a larger outdoor playground with equipment and indoor gymnasium for the children who come to Gillian’s Place with their Moms. With the help of our Child and Youth Counsellor these children can begin their healing and just be kids. If you are wondering what the inside of our shelter looks like, please view “Tour our Shelter”. Gillian’s Place is an accomplishment of collaborative relationships, understanding and meeting the essential support services to empower abused women of Niagara.
Contact information
For women in need of support:
24/7 Support Line 905-684-8331
For all business inquiries:
Business line 905-684-4000
Mailing address:
Gillian’s Place
P.O. Box 1387
St. Catharines ON L2R 7J8
Fax Number 905-704-4556
Physical Address:
Gillian's Place
15 Gibson Place
St. Catharines ON L2R 0A3
For administration information, please contact:
Administrative Assistant
905-684-4000 ext 237
Click here to email
Anne,
Executive Director
905-684-4000 ext 224
Click here to email
Business Manager
905-684-4000 ext 225
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Nicole, Community Development Manager
905-684-4000 ext 231
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For general inquiries please contact:
Development Assistant
905-684-4000 ext 233
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Are you interested in volunteering at a special event or hosting a third party event?
Please contact:
Joanne, Fundraising Events Coordinator
905-684-4000 ext 235
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If you are interested in becoming a volunteer, please contact:
Volunteer & Public Education Coordinator
905-684-4000 ext 234
Click here to email
Gillian's Place Web Host
Vaxxine Computer Systems
905-685-1539
Career opportunities
Position: Relief Counsellor
Click here to download job description
We would like to thank any applicant who provides a submission. Please be advised we only contact applicants who are selected for an interview - no telephone calls please. Gillian’s Place is an equal opportunity employer.
Student placement
Gillian’s Place provides opportunities for student placements in both the Child & Youth counselling area and in our Development & Public Relations department.
Public speaking
Gillian’s Place works diligently to provide public education and raise community awareness on the issue of violence against women.
To request a speaker at your event regarding our organization, please contact the Volunteer & Public Education Coordinator at 905-684-4000 ext 234.
Only with the ever-present support of the community can Gillian’s Place continue to provide essential support services to abused women and their children. The St. Catharines and North Niagara community has played a pivotal role in our ability to serve women and children in need. Please take a moment to read about some of the community members who support our work.
Media Release
November 16, 2007 – Women’s Place St. Catharines and North Niagara Opens Doors as Gillian’s Place Click here to download
November 16, 2007 – Women’s Place St. Catharines and North Niagara Officially Opens Doors to More Women and Children Fleeing Abuse Click here to download
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There is hope. There is help. There is a future.
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