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.
By the numbers (2017/2018): We supported 438 women and 201 children at our emergency shelter, unfortunately we turned away 149 women and 123 children because we were full. We facilitated 139 groups attended by 900 people. The number of people accessing our Community Support team has grown from 138 people to 320 people in one year, growth of 232%. Our trauma counselors provided 477 hours of therapy to 120 individuals. Our second stage shelter welcomed 35 women and 48 children and had to turn away 5 women and 8 children because we were full. We delivered 334 presentations with a total of 3906 individuals in attendance. Our Family Resource Centre had 1889 visits to the program and provided a total of 3869 hours of programming to 571 children. We had 3,337 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.
EducationOur 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