About

Overview

Odyssey House is a non-profit organization and registered charity. We provide safe, secure, and supportive accommodation for women and their children who are victims of domestic violence, are in crisis, or in need of a housing alternative. Odyssey House is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

In the 2018/2019 year, we supported 297 women and 164 children at our emergency shelter. Unfortunately we turned away 481 women and 360 children because we were full.We facilitated 140 groups attended by 900 people.The number of people accessing our Community Support team has grown from 927 total participant in the prevous year to 1179 this fiscal year. Our Trauma counselors provided 216 hours of therapy to 80 individuals.Our second stage shelter supported 25 women and 27 children. Unfortunately, we had to turn away 5 women and 4 children because we were full.Our Public Education team delivered 385 presentations with a total of 6379 individuals in attendance, in comparison to the previous year that is a 63.3% increase in attendance. We Our Family Resource Centre had 1720 visits to the program and provided a total of 5125 hours of programming to children that are accessing services. We had 3,386 calls to the crisis line.

Our Services

Emergency Shelter

42 beds in a private, secure, welcoming facility. For women and children in need of short-term emergency accommodation.

Shelter

Serenity Place

An apartment building for women, with or without children, in need of safe, affordable housing and specialized programming.

Housing

Outreach Community Support

The healing journey can be long and difficult. It wasn’t made to be walked alone. Programs open to residential and outreach clients.

Outreach

Childcare Support

Get the help you need. After-school and respite care for children is provided for residents. Outreach clients can also access childcare during group support.

Childcare

Public Education

Community awareness is key to the prevention of family violence. Our Public Education Coordinator is active in the community, advocating healthy relationships.

Education

Our Mission & Vision

Our Vision

To help women and children break free from the cycle of family violence.

Our Mission

Everyone has the right to live with dignity, safety, and equality.

Guiding Beliefs

Everyone has the right to a life free of violence.
Women have the right to make choices in their own lives.
The role of staff is to educate and empower clients to make choices and accept responsibility for those choices.
Everyone has the right to be treated with dignity and respect.
Everyone has the right to services that are delivered in a professional, nonjudgmental and sensitive manner considering diverse cultures.
Every child has the right to live in a safe and protected environment which fosters optimum physical, cognitive, emotional, spiritual and social growth.
We will recognize a family unit as it is defined by its members.
All matters are considered confidential except where dictated by law.
We endeavor to provide the best possible information and support available. This may include, but is not limited to, advocacy, referrals, resources, and case conferences.
Services are delivered on a case by case basis, allowing for unique and/or specific client needs.
Education regarding family violence and women’s issues is an effective, proactive form of prevention and empowerment.
Survivors of family violence deserve support and information as they continue their “journey of healing”

Legal Registration

Incorporation number: 50220615
Registered Charity #: 129126462RR0001