Full Members
Full Members are national, provincial, and territorial violence against women shelter/transition house associations. In provinces and territories where there is no incorporated VAW shelter organization, the VAW shelters in that province or territory have named a representative VAW shelter.
Action ontarienne contre la violence faite aux femmes
Action ontarienne contre la violence faite aux femmes was founded in 1988 by frontline workers who had identified the need for a province-wide organization. The organization comprises francophone feminist organizations working to end the oppression of women. AOcVF has a mandate to work to prevent violence, provide ongoing training for workers, set directions and take the initiative to establish French-language services, analyse issues and produce education and awareness materials in French, grounded in a feminist analysis of the social and community situation.
Alberta Council of Women’s Shelters
With offices located in Edmonton, Alberta, and representing 41 member shelter organizations, the Alberta Council of Women’s Shelters is a province-wide, voluntary organization supporting women’s shelters and partner organizations through education, research and services for the benefit of abused women and their children. It assists shelters by initiating violence prevention projects to improve shelter services.
L’Alliance des maisons d’hébergement de 2e étape pour femmes et enfants victimes de violence conjugale
The Alliance of Second-Stage Shelters for Women and Children who have Experienced Domestic Violence connects and represents second stage shelters in Quebec who offer women, with or without children, specialized services for those who have separated following domestic violence. The 11 members of the Alliance offer 100 transitional housing spaces in 7 regions of Quebec and welcome an average of 200 women and 200 children each year. Second-stage transitional housing allows women in need to continue to receive support after leaving a first stage women’s shelter when there is continued need for a secure and confidential address.
BC Society of Transition Houses
With offices located in Vancouver, British Columbia, the BC Society of Transition Houses is a non-profit association of 63 transition houses, 13 second stage houses, 26 safe homes, 100 Children Who Witness Abuse programs and other groups which serve the needs of women and their children fleeing violence. Through numerous initiatives, it enhances the continuum of services and strategies necessary to end violence against women, youth and children.
Fédération des maisons d’hébergement pour femmes
Located in Montreal, Quebec, and representing 41 women’s shelters across the province, the Fédération des maisons d’hébergement pour femmes supports shelters in providing quality services that meet the security and protection needs of women and children victims of violence. It promotes and defends the interests of its member shelters and provides them the necessary support to carry out their mandates.
Manitoba Association of Women’s Shelters
Representing 9 provincially funded women’s shelters and several affiliate members working in the field of family violence, the Manitoba Association of Women’s Shelters was created to provide: support to member shelters, increased negotiating abilities with funders, shared information and resources, increased public awareness, training of staff and improved services for clients.
New Brunswick South Central Transition House and Second Stage Coalition, Inc. (NBSCTHSSC)
The Coalition was formed in 1987 and brought together all New Brunswick facilities serving women fleeing abusive relationships and was successful in lobbying the provincial government for more helpful policies for their clients. Funding for twice-yearly meetings and a part-time coordinator was lost when the mandate of Status of Women Canada changed in 2007 and, eventually, two separate coalitions were formed – the NBSCTHSSC and the Réseau (see below). The Coalition has five second stage facilities and eight transition houses. It develops training for staff, including publishing “Building on our Strengths,” a crisis intervenor training manual and workbook. Representatives sit on provincial working groups and collaborate with other equality-seeking organizations to effect change to benefit all women.
Ontario Association of Interval & Transition Houses
The Ontario Association of Interval & Transition Houses is a provincial coalition founded by women’s shelter advocates in 1977. The Association works with 61 member agencies to educate and promote change in all areas that abused women and their children identify as important to their freedom from violence. It operates from an integrated, feminist, anti-racist / anti-oppression perspective on violence against women.
PEI Family Violence Prevention Services Inc.
PEI Family Violence Prevention Services Inc. is a community volunteer organization, based on the principles of justice, equality and peace. It is dedicated to the eradication of physical, sexual and emotional violence in families through advocacy, prevention programs and the provision of quality services designed to empower and support those affected by family violence. PEI Family Violence Prevention Services Inc. is designated the regional Network member for PEI, which includes 1 provincial shelter for abused women, 4 outreach offices across the province and 3 second stage facilities.
Provincial Association of Transition Houses and Services of Saskatchewan
Formed in 1984, the Provincial Association of Transition Houses and Services of Saskatchewan is a non-profit organization whose membership is comprised of 19 transition houses, second stage houses and organizations providing services to women who have experienced violence. PATHS’s mission is to provide integrated, collaborative support for its members and research, program development, public awareness and education on personal and family violence in Saskatchewan.
Regroupement des maisons pour femmes victimes de violence conjugale
With some 50 member shelters across Quebec, the Regroupement des maisons pour femmes victimes de violence conjugale helps to modify laws and policies to make them more adequate measures of protection for women and children victims of domestic violence. It also provides its members with a forum for reflection, training and mobilization.
Réseau des services pour victimes de violence du Nouveau-Brunswick

The Réseau is a non-profit organization whose members are shelters, second stage shelters, and services for women and children who are victims of violence. It serves a French-speaking and bilingual population. The Réseau’s vision is “a society free from all violence.” Its mandate is to offer support services to its members, act as spokespersons for its members, and to make the general population of the province aware of the reality of violence and its harmful effects.
Transition House Association of Newfoundland and Labrador
Since 1987, the Transition House Association of Newfoundland and Labrador has provided its now 8 member organizations with guidance, training, research and community awareness initiatives. As a strong collective voice in equality-seeking work in the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador, it lobbies for the financial support needed to operate and establish new transition houses, participates in anti-violence activities in the province and offers regular networking opportunities to staff and management.
Transition House Association of Nova Scotia
Founded in 1989, the Transition House Association of Nova Scotia represents 11 member organizations that provide crisis and transitional services to women and their children who are experiencing violence and abuse. It advocates for sufficient programs, services and funding for transition houses in Nova Scotia; provides training and networking opportunities for boards and staff of its member organizations, and works collaboratively with other equality-seeking organizations to increase public awareness of violence and abuse in our society.
Yukon Women’s Transition Home Society

Located in Whitehorse, Yukon, the Women’s Transition Home is a registered not-for-profit with charitable status that provides safe, confidential and non-judgmental support, advocacy and shelter to women, and their children, who are in crisis and/or experiencing and responding to violence or abuse. WTH operates Kaushee’s Place, an 18-bed emergency shelter for women and their children. In addition, Kaushee’s Place contains 5 apartment units for longer-term second-stage housing. WTH also operates Betty’s Haven, a 10-unit second stage housing complex.
YWCA Northwest Territories

Since 1966, the YWCA Northwest Territories has been a leading provider of housing and services for the most vulnerable people in its community. As a non-profit agency that exists to increase the well-being and independence of people, particularly women, the YWCA NWT provides shelter for women fleeing family violence, transitional and emergency housing programs, community support services and after-school programs. YWCA NWT is designated the regional Network member for NWT, which includes 4 other sheltering organizations.
Associate Members
Associate Membership is available to individual VAW shelters/transition houses. Associate members must be committed to the values and principles of WSC. If the Associate member is not a member of a Full Member organization, they must submit an application for approval by the Board.
Agape House / MB
Alternatives for Women in Prince Edward County / ON
Amata Transition House Society / BC
Ann Davis Transition Society / BC
Annie’s Place Transition House / BC
Anova / ON
Archway Society for Domestic Peace / BC
Beendigen Anishinabe Women’s Crisis Home & Family Healing Agency / ON
Bethesda House / ON
Calgary Women’s Emergency Shelter / AB
Canadian Mental Health Association, Kootenays Branch / BC
Cape Breton Transition House Association / NS
Central Alberta Women’s Emergency Shelter / AB
Central Okanagan Emergency Shelter Society / BC
Chrysalis House / ON
Chrysalis House Association / NS
Comox Valley Transition Society / BC
Cornerstone Family Violence Prevention Centre / ON
Crossroads for Women Inc. / Carrefour pour femmes inc. / NB
Crossroads Resource Centre & Women’s Shelter / AB
Discovery House Family Violence Prevention Society / AB
Domestic Abuse Services Oxford / ON
Dr. Margaret Savage Crisis Centre / AB
Eagle’s Nest Stoney Family Shelter / AB
Embrave / ON
Ernestine’s Women’s Shelter / ON
Faye Peterson House / ON
First Step Women’s Shelter / ON
Fundy Region Transition House, Inc. / NB
Genesis House / MB
Gillian’s Place / ON
Grace Sparkes House / NL
Green Haven Shelter for Women / ON
Guelph Wellington Women in Crisis / ON
Han Knakst Tsitxw Society / BC
Help and Hope for Families / YT
Helping Spirit Lodge / BC
Herizon House / ON
Hiatus House / ON
Hope Haven Society / AB
Huron Women’s Shelter and Second Stage Housing / ON
Ikwe-Widdjitiwin / MB
Inasmuch House / ON
Ingamo Homes / ON
Interval House of Hamilton / ON
Interval House of Ottawa Maison interval d’Ottawa / ON
Kerby Centre / AB
Ksan House Society / BC
L’Autre Chez-Soi / QC
L’Autre-Toit du KRTB / QC
Le Bouclier d’Athena/Shield of Athena Family Services / QC
Leeds and Grenville Interval House / ON
Lennox and Addington Interval House / ON
L’EntourElle / QC
L’Escale Madavic / NB
Liberty Lane / NB
Libra House / NL
Maison d’aide et d’hébergement l’Accalmie / QC
Maison d’amitié / ON
Maison d’Ariane / QC
Maison Flora Tristan / QC
Maison Sérénité / NB
Maison Simonne Monet-Chartrand / QC
Manitoulin Family Resources / ON
Maplegate / ON
Marjorie House / ON
Maskan / AB
Medicine Hat Women’s Shelter Society / AB
Miramichi Emergency Centre for Women Inc. / NB
Moose Jaw Transition House / SK
Mountain Rose Women’s Shelter Association / AB
Muskoka Women’s Advocacy Group / ON
Nellie’s / ON
New Starts for Women / ON
North Coast Transition Society / BC
Northern Haven Support Society / AB
Nova House / MB
Nova Vita Domestic Violence Prevention Services / ON
Omineca Safe Home Society / BC
OPTIONS Community Services / BC
Parkland Crisis Centre & Women’s Shelter / MB
PEI Family Violence Prevention Services Inc / PE
Phoenix Transition Society / BC
Pincher Creek Women’s Emergency Shelter Association / AB
Portage Family Abuse Prevention Centre Inc. / MB
Prince George and District Elizabeth Fry Society / BC
Progressive Intercultural Community Services Society / BC
Rainy River District Womens’ Shelter of Hope / ON
Regard en elle / QC
Saakaate House / ON
Safe Haven Women’s Shelter Society / AB
Sandgate Women’s Shelter of York Region / ON
Sara for Women (Women’s Resource Centre of the Fraser Valley) / BC
SOFIA House Inc / SK
Sonshine Centre / AB
South Okanagan Women in Need Society / BC
The Denise House Shelter and Support / ON
The Pas Committee for Women in Crisis / MB
The Redwood / ON
Third Place Transition house / NS
Timmins and Area Women in Crisis / ON
Trail FAIR Society / BC
Tri-City Transition Society / BC
Waypoints Community Services Association / AB
Wellspring Family Resource & Crisis Centre / AB
Willow House / NL
Willow Place / MB
Wings of Providence Society / AB
Women & Children’s Shelter of Barrie / ON
Women’s Habitat / ON
Women’s House Serving Bruce and Grey / ON
Yellow Brick House / ON
Yorkton Tribal Council – Project Safe Haven / SK
Yukon Women’s Transition Home Society / YT
YWCA Banff / AB
YWCA Durham / ON
YWCA Metro Vancouver / BC
YWCA Sudbury / ON
YWCA Toronto / ON
YWCANWT / NT