Outreach

Located at 3A Beechwood Drive in Parry Sound and 16 Toronto Avenue in South River, an Outreach worker is available to provide counselling to women living in the district. We also provide accompaniment to court, legal and Crown appointments.  Individual and group counselling is available.

Specific Service Provided:

• Crisis/support counselling to assist individuals seeking urgent assistance in person
• Short-term, goal-focused counselling for women in the community
• Development of safety strategies or plans for women and their children
• Provision of information on rights, options, and available services
• Referrals or linking women to appropriate services, including, where appropriate, to services for mid to long-term clinical counselling as well as sexual assault; and
• Outreach to women including promoting shelter services

Program Goals:

Counselling services are provided in order to:

• Increase the safety of women and their children who are fleeing violent relationships and prevent further re-victimization
• Support women to understand their rights, self-esteem needs, and safety planning and violence prevention strategies
• Assist mothers in supporting their children to heal from the effects of witnessing violence
• Assist and advocate for women and their children regarding their health, safety and well-being

Transitional and Housing Supports

Our Transitional & Housing Support Worker assists women in identifying and accessing the supports needed to live free from violence and to establish new lives in the community.  Referral and advocacy is available for legal aid, housing, counselling, parenting support, educational upgrading, income support, and health and wellness services.

Specific Services Provided:

• Developing Transition and Safety Plans
• Referrals and advocacy in the following areas
• Housing
• Long term counselling
• Parenting support
• Educational upgrades
• Job training; Applying for income support
• Immigration process
• Legal process, including legal aid, court attendance and custody
• Health and wellness services
• Providing necessary community supports including
• Applying for income support
• Group supports for women in transition including job training
• Immigration process including applications
• Legal process, including legal aid, court attendance and custody

Public Education

Outreach and Transitional Supports program staff are available to raise awareness about the issues of abuse and violence prevention.  We speak to service groups, churches, schools, interested individuals and agencies throughout the District.

The support you need

Whether you require a place to stay in the shelter, or just want to meet with a counsellor and create a safety plan, Esprit Place has a program to suit your needs.