A community of practice (CoP) brings together a group of people who share a common area of practice so that they can collectively address their learning needs. CoPs are an opportunity for practitioners to share information, learn from each other, and strengthen their practice. Often, CoPs generate resources and set standards that other practitioners can refer to and draw on in their own work.
Over the past few years, Women’s Shelters Canada has organized several CoPs, each focused on an emerging and/or complex area of shelter work. To find out more about each CoP, follow the links below.
Reach out to Leah at leah@endvaw.ca if you have any questions about our CoPs!
Ongoing CoPs
CoP on Second Stage Shelter Operations
This CoP brings together 21 organizations from across the country so staff can connect, share, and learn from each other about the intricacies of running a second stage shelter for women, children, and gender-diverse people who have experienced violence.
Previous CoPs
CoP on Harm Reduction & Lowering Barriers to Service
From 2022-24, this CoP brought together 41 shelter workers, from 25 VAW shelters and transition houses (THs), who were working to adopt a harm reduction model and reduce barriers to service at their shelter.
CoP on Supporting Immigrant and Refugee Survivors of VAW
In May 2019, 17 shelter workers from nine different provinces and territories participated in a CoP on navigating immigration systems and access to services with immigrant and refugee survivors of violence against women.
CoP on Supporting Trans Women in VAW Shelters
In May 2018, 8 participants from VAW shelters and transition houses across the country came together to share their progress, challenges, and lessons learned in the process of making their shelters more inclusive.
Housing Community of Practice
In June 2017, the Housing Community of Practice brought together 11 participants from 7 provinces and 1 territory to share their knowledge of housing context, exchange promising practices, and draft a vision for strategic housing priorities for Women’s Shelters Canada.