Family Violence Initiative

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

INTERACTIONS WITHIN COMMUNITIES

Family Violence Interventions

Program Name:

Zhaawanong Shelter

Organization/Community:

At^lohsa Native Family Healing Centre Inc.

Location:

Southwold, Ontario

Website:

www.atlohsa.com

Goals and Objectives:

To provide community-based emergency shelter and crisis support services for women and their children who have experienced abuse.

Target Group Description:

Women (age 16 years and older) and their children.

Program Description:

The program assists women by providing emergency shelter services for them and their children. These services tailor an individual safety plan designed to meet that client's own individual needs. The program also offers crisis support services (including phone counselling), skills and parenting development workshops, and referrals to appropriate services. Cultural support services are also offered in the form of pipe ceremonies, sweat lodge ceremonies, language workshops, sunrise ceremonies, community feasts, water ceremonies, naming ceremonies. All of these cultural ceremonies are designed to encourage clients to find motivation to make better life choices.

Program Successes/Impact:

Growth of organization. The successes of clients becoming independent and living violence free lives.

Key Lessons/Challenges:

The need for more addiction treatment facilities. The challenge of working with mandated priorities of Child Welfare Services (CWS).

Program in operation since:

1992.

Program:

Ongoing.