Family Violence Initiative

COMPENDIUM OF PROMISING PRACTICES TO REDUCE VIOLENCE AND INCREASE SAFETY OF ABORIGINAL WOMEN IN CANADA – COMPENDIUM ANNEX: DETAILED PRACTICE DESCRIPTIONS

INTERACTIONS WITHIN COMMUNITIES

Family Violence Interventions

Program name:

Transitional Housing Support Program

Organization:

Minwaashin Lodge

Location:

Ottawa, Ontario

Target Group:

Women.

Contact Name:

Mary Montgomery

Phone:

N/A

Email:

MMontgomery@Minlodge.com

Website:

www.minlodge.com

Program Overview
History:

The program has been running since 2002. The program is delivered through a partnership with Family Services Ottawa.

Program Description
Goals & Objectives:

To help women in violent situations find and maintain safe and affordable housing.

Traditional/Indigenous ways:

Traditional teachings are woven into all aspects of the services offered.

Components of program:

The program offers help to women seeking escape from their current living conditions by helping them to find affordable housing. The program also offers help to clients in the development of safety plans, providing court support, accessing basic financial assistance, accompanying clients to appointments and connecting clients and their children to other accessible community support services when appropriate.

Services/How they work:

Services are provided on site at the facility and off site in the community.

Funding:

Funding is provided by the Ontario Ministry of Community and Social Services.

Relationships and Stakeholders
Involvement of Target Groups:

Service providers within the community meet regularly and discuss trends and share ideas. Clients are involved via their feedback from evaluations they complete.

Partners:

Ottawa housing; Gignul Non-profit Housing Corporation; Police; landlords; and community agencies (both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal).

Other relationships:

N/A

Details of Program Evaluation
Evaluation:

An evaluation has been completed.

Highlights of Evaluation Findings:

The report was not made available publicly, and no specific results can be provided.

Program Outcomes
Measures of Success:

N/A

Achievements:

87% of women who go through the program are housed within 3 months.

Challenges:

Overcoming prejudicial ideas that potential landlords may have against the women seeking shelter is a challenge. It can be difficult finding housing that will be affordable for clients of the program.

Things to Know to Replicate
Replication Advice:

The program is considered replicable. Potential program organizers would need to establish trusting relationships with the community.

Resources:

Adequate funding, properly trained staff and facility space for the programming would be necessary to ensure the program's success.