Resources for Shelters and Transition Houses During COVID-19 - End Violence Against Women

Thank you for the work you are doing to support women and children during this crisis. Once again, women are at the forefront of providing Canadians with essential services. We will be updating this page as new information, resources, and tips emerge.

Distribution of Federal Funds

Women’s Shelters Canada (WSC) is distributing a new round of federal funds to eligible shelters and transition houses supporting women and children fleeing violence across the country. On August 6, 2021, the federal government announced $200 million over two years for VAW shelters, sexual assault centres, and organizations supporting women, children, and LGBTQ2 and gender non-binary people experiencing violence, to help them respond to and recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. Women’s Shelters Canada is responsible for distributing $79 million of this funding to eligible VAW shelters and transition houses (THs) across the country, with the exception of shelters/THs located in Quebec or funded by Indigenous Services Canada.

In 2020, WSC distributed $36 million of federal funds to over 400 VAW shelters and transition houses across the country, $20.5 million in the Spring and $15.7 million in late Fall.

Press Release: Women’s Shelters Canada Welcomes Renewed Opportunity to Distribute Federal Funds to VAW Shelters Across the Country

Federal Funding to VAW Shelters: Frequently Asked Questions

Knowledge and Information Sharing

Facebook Group

We have a created a private, closed Facebook Group for shelters and transition houses across the country to connect and share information, resources, and promising practices related to their response to COVID-19.

Please note that a shelter’s Facebook page can join the private group.

Google Doc

We have a Google Doc with an ongoing list of resources and practices that shelters and transition houses across the country are using to respond to the evolving COVID-19 situation.

If you have other resources or practices you would like to share, please contact Leah Stuart-Sheppard, Knowledge Exchange Coordinator, at leah@endvaw.ca.

Quick Tips

If you are still accepting in-kind donations from individuals, consider posting in your local Facebook community group listing what you need.
Your local distillery may have switched to producing hand sanitizer. Contact them to see if they’ll make an in-kind donation.
Contact your local media for coverage to (a) let women in your community know they can still contact you and (b) let the general public know what your needs are.

Are you running low on food?

We’ve been in touch with Food Banks Canada and they are committed to ensuring that women’s shelters can access the food they need through their local food banks. If you are connected to your food bank, reach out to them with your needs. If you’re having trouble contacting them, email Heather Stewart, Member Engagement Coordinator, at hstewart@endvaw.ca.

Northern, rural, and remote shelters and transition houses: please note that Food Banks Canada is working with northern stores and can move food across the country to ensure you have access to what you need.

Are you exploring texting through your crisis line or web chat?

* Note that WSC does not necessarily endorse these companies but is making their offers known to shelters in case of interest

Resource Connect enables text messaging communication through a crisis line but largely promotes their webchat service, as it’s more secure than texting. Resource Connect is the service used by OCTEVAW, based in Ottawa and recently featured on CBC News. During COVID-19, they are offering the webchat for free (usually $15 USD per month). There is no commitment for trying webchat services. There is a contact form on their website for more information.

Ivrnet, a Calgary-based software company, approached WSC regarding their new 2-way Text tool. This product helps facilitate client-centred care by enabling women to connect with their local shelter via text. They have worked with local shelters in Calgary.

Ivrnet will:

– Text enable a shelter’s existing crisis hotline phone number at no-charge (normally a $100 fee).

– Reduce the monthly rate for this 2-way text service by half to $50/month for the first 6 months ($100 per month afterwards). Each text rate would be $0.03 for each direction ($0.06 for each MMS in case a client needs to send a picture).

– Provide comprehensive training to front-line staff for organizations who proceed with this offer.

Interested shelters can contact Jeff Young, Vice President of Sales, at 403-970-8398 or 877-780-6983 or by email at j.young@ivrnet.com. More information can be found here.

Key Resources

Thank you to our full member, the BC Society of Transition Houses, for sharing the resources they’ve gathered with us. For resources in French, click here.

National Resources

Coronavirus Information, Government of Canada official updates
Guidance for providers of services for people experiencing homelessness, Government of Canada
Google Doc of members’ recommendations during pandemic, Women’s National Housing and Homelessness Network
Privacy Emergency Kit Sharing information during an emergency, Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada
How to Talk to Your Kids About Coronavirus, PBS

National Resources

Coronavirus Information, Government of Canada official updates
Guidance for providers of services for people experiencing homelessness, Government of Canada
Google Doc of members’ recommendations during pandemic, Women’s National Housing and Homelessness Network
Privacy Emergency Kit Sharing information during an emergency, Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada
How to Talk to Your Kids About Coronavirus, PBS

Resources by Province/Territory

Ontario

Shelters and COVID-19 Virus, Aboriginal Shelters of Ontario
Child and Teen Caregiving During the COVID-19 Pandemic, Aboriginal Shelters of Ontario
Resources for Children and Youth during the COVID-19 Crisis, OAITH

Northwest Territories

Pandemic Preparedness Policy, YWCA NWT

British Columbia

Promising Practices for Transitional Housing Programs Responding to a Pandemic, BC Society of Transition Houses
SAMPLE Pandemic Continuity Plan for Housing/Service Providers, BC Housing
COVID-19 and the workplace, Work Safe BC

Webinars and Trainings

Recorded

Creating a COVID-19 Isolation Site for Survivors of Domestic Violence – Women’s Shelters Canada (recorded July 10)
Webinar: Tools, Services, and Supplies for VAW Shelters during the Pandemic – Women’s Shelters Canada (recorded June 30)
Getting Your Message Across: Engaging the Media on VAW – Women’s Shelters Canada (recorded June 16)
COVID-19: Implications for Fundraising for VAW Shelters – Women’s Shelters Canada (recorded May 12)
Yoga, self-care and grounding practices – BCSTH (recorded May 8)
Adapting VAW Services Offered to Women in the Community during COVID-19 – Women’s Shelters Canada (recorded May 6)
Adapting Residential Services at VAW Shelters in the Face of COVID-19 – Women’s Shelters Canada (recorded April 28)
Delivering Peace Program Support Sessions Remotely During Covid-19 – BC Society of Transition Houses (recorded May 1)
Supporting Women at a Distance During COVID-19: Updates from Australia and New Zeland – GNWS (recorded April 29)
Family Law During COVID-19 for BC’s Anti-Violence Workers – BC Society of Transition Houses (recorded April 28)
Considerations for Anti-Violence Programs Starting an Online Chat Crisis Line – BC Society of Transition Houses (recorded April 24)
Serving survivors with COVID-19 — sharing success stories and challenges from around the world – GNWS (recorded April 22)
Consideration for Anti-Violence Programs Using Technology During the COVID-19 Pandemic – BC Society of Transition Houses (recorded April 17)
Using Technology to Support Victims During a Public Health Crisis – GNWS (recorded April 15)
Using Technology to Support Victims During a Public Health Crisis – GNWS (recorded April 8)
Coronavirus and Women’s Shelters: Policy perspectives on protection of victims of domestic violence during the outbreak – GNWS (recorded April 1)
Privacy Matters: Working Remotely – NNEDV (recorded March 26)
Coronavirus and Women’s Shelters: Planning, preparation and response to the COVID-19 pandemic – GNWS and the Asian Network of Women’s Shelters (recorded March 25)
COVID-19 Planning Tools and Supports for Non-profits, HSABC (recorded March 25)
Coronavirus Outbreak Health and Safety in the Shelter Context – HSABC (recorded March 19)
Fundraising during uncertain times – CanadaHelps (recorded March 19)
COVID19 and Indigenous Communities – Indigenous Climate Action & Idle No More (recorded March 18)
Preparing homelessness services for coronavirus – Canadian Network for the Health and Housing of People Experiencing Homelessness (recorded March 18)

In the weeks to come, we will do our best to support you in the ways we can. If you have suggestions you would like to share with us, please do so by responding to Heather Stewart, our Member Engagement Coordinator, at hstewart@endvaw.ca.