Family Violence Initiative

COMPENDIUM OF PROMISING PRACTICES TO REDUCE VIOLENCE AND INCREASE SAFETY OF ABORIGINAL WOMEN IN CANADA

HISTORICAL LEGACY

Healing and Renewal of Family Roles and Responsibilities

Program Name:

North End Women's Centre (NEWC)

Organization/Community:

North End Women's Centre

Location:

Winnipeg, Manitoba

Website:

www.newcentre.org

Goals and Objectives:

To provide a friendly atmosphere, where women can receive the understanding, support and resources they need to make informed and positive choices about their lives.

Target Group Description:

Women 18 years of age and older and their children.

Program Description:

The program offers a counselling program to help women who are victims of domestic violence past or present. It offers a 6 month life skills based course that helps clients with day to day life, build self-esteem, find affordable housing, obtain employment and find out what their options are for education. There are also domestic violence workshops, a drop in program and over the phone counselling to those in need. Programming is also geared toward helping clients and their children develop the skills and knowledge to maintain a healthy parent/child relationship. Most of the staff is trained in cultural sensitivity and in the Aboriginal culture as a whole.

Program Successes/Impact:

Clients have been successful in developing necessary parenting skills and knowledge, becoming stable, employed and going back to school through the program.

Key Lessons/Challenges:

Obtaining funding. Discontinuing proven, successful programs due to lack of funding.

Program in operation since:

1994.

Program:

Ongoing.