Services

Telephone Crisis Line/Walk-in Service

Given the control that perpetrators of violence have on the time and daily living conditions of victims of violence, women must have ready access to telephone crisis services as opportune times present themselves. Violence is inflicted on victims at all times of the day and night; therefore, WIC crisis services are available around the clock each day of the year.

Support and assistance to victims of violence is provided by two trained individuals with expertise, sensitivity and in-depth knowledge.

The Walk-In Service allows face-to-face supportive counselling. Women share their experiences and as much as possible identify the abuse and their needs. Along with the crisis worker, they problem solve and explore options and choices. They are assisted to access resources according to needs which have surfaced or have been identified. Crisis workers advocate on their behalf to ensure procurement of those resources. Referrals and/or accompaniment to such resources are arranged when necessary.

Child and Youth Support Program

The Child and Youth Program provides a friendly and educational environment where children are encouraged to identify, express and resolve feelings around the violence and abuse they may have witnessed and/or experienced. During their stay, children are helped to understand that they are blameless for the violence and that it is their right to be free of violence and abuse.

All Women In Crisis staff make reports to and/or liaise with the Children’s Aid Society as required by legislation and/or to enlist assistance for Moms and children. The Child and Youth Program allows desperately needed respite time for Moms so they can attend to appointments, accomplish tasks, or to simply regain their equilibrium. In addition, the Child and Youth Program provides support to all other programs offered through the Shelter services.

Family Court/Transitional Housing Support

Due to the innumerable historical, social, institutional, economic and political barriers faced by women as they struggle to leave abusive relationships the provision of advocacy, information, assistance, and accompaniment will facilitate their efforts to establish violence-free lives in the community.

Download Family Court Workshop Brochure  here

Download Family Court Support Program Information FCSW Information

Counselling Services

Sexual Assault/Abuse counselling is healing and empowering when conducted from a holistic and feminist perspective, which recognizes the strength of every woman and provides a supportive, non-judgmental environment where women can make informed choices and steer their counselling process.

Counselling provides education on what abuse is, who is responsible for the abuse, and what the immediate and long-term effects are on the survivor. There is an emphasis on the woman’s right to seek and insist on the community supports she requires, enriching her healing process.

The length of time a woman is involved in the program is based on the changes she wants to make, a time frame that she feels is suitable to herself and the counsellor and the length of the court process, if she is involved with one.

Groups & Workshops

Self Esteem & Awareness

A group developed to assist women who have suffered from abuse and violence to learn to love and accept themselves as they are.

This group focusses on:

• Loving and accepting yourself
• Recognizing no one is perfect
• Forgiving yourself
• Increasing positive thoughts
• Strengths
• Defining Assertiveness
• Setting boundaries and following your instincts
• Anger solutions
• Conflict Resolution

Moving Forward

A group created for all women who have left or are leaving an abusive relationship. This group covers topics designed to help women understand abuse.

Some topics include:

• The Cycle of Abuse
• Types of Abuse
• Are you experiencing abuse
• The effects of abuse on women
• Establishing a plan to heal from abuse

Family Law Information Workshops

Women In Crisis (Algoma) Inc. is offering a series of Family Law Information workshops.

Women who have experienced abuse and violence and have family law issues are welcome to register.

• Getting Started: Overview of Family Law and Family Court Process
• Working With Court-Related Services
• Working Effectively With Your Lawyer
• Managing a Legal Bully
• Presenting Evidence of Abuse
• How to Complete Court Documents

To register please call the Shelter at 705.759.1230 or email info@wicalgoma.com

Click here for a brochure with complete details on each workshop.

Choices

The Choices Program has been presented by WIC staff since 2006.

This program provides:

• Education for youth about the differences between healthy and unhealthy relationships.
• Tools to recognize warning signs and red flags of abusive relationships.

The program is generally aimed at Grade 9 students as a part of their mandatory Health Curriculum. However in the last few years this program has been expanding and is now being presented to youth and adults who attend other community programs.

The Choices Program is a partnership between Women In Crisis (Algoma) Inc., Algoma District School Board, and the Huron Superior Catholic District School Board.

When Love Hurts

A Women’s Guide to Understanding Abuse in Relationships

This group follows the chapters of the book “When Love Hurts”, while also engaging in discussion and appropriate activities to expound upon the material covered. The chapters of the book are as follows:

• Am I experiencing abuse?
• What is the Cycle of Abuse?
• How do I experience the Cycle of Abuse?
• What are the different types of abuse?
• What’s the abuse doing to me?
• Am I responsible for the abuse?
• Why is my partner abusive?
• What’s this doing to my kids?
• Am I getting the support I need?
• Should I leave him?
• How do I heal from the abuse?