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| Nelson House exists to provide safety for women
and children who are being abused and to work with
other groups and individuals toward ending violence
against all women. |
| Nelson House is a non-profit shelter, established
in 1992 following three years of planning and effort
by a large number of women in the city of Nepean
and across the region. Nelson House provides emergency
shelter and social services for women and children
who are fleeing abuse in their lives. |
| Our residents come from diverse backgrounds. Often
they are disadvantaged economically or are new Canadians
who often lack access to the support of extended
family and friends. They truly are reflective of
Ottawa’s diverse community and are at Nelson
House to build for themselves and their children
a life free of violence. |
| The Board and staff run a facility known as a
first-stage emergency shelter where women and children
benefit from transitional housing and programs for
up to 10 weeks. The core of Nelson House's service
is the Residential Program, which serves on average
150 women and children per year. The 15-bed residence
offers a warm home-like setting with accommodation
for women with and without children.
The Crisis line answers more than 1500 calls
annually, responding to the needs of women in
crisis by providing support and information on
safety planning, access to community services,
and advocating for women to find a safe place
to stay.
Nelson House also offers a variety of essential
services to its clients, including financial support,
information and referrals to services such as
police, housing, child care, medical services,
and legal services. Nelson House also offers a
Children’s Program that encompasses parenting
support, respite care and activities for children.
A Transitional Support Worker ensures that each
client is connected to the appropriate community
services when she moves out of Nelson House.
If Nelson House is not able to provide housing
or a needed service, the agency is able to help
clients access other community services. When
the shelter is filled to capacity, Nelson House
turns to its network of sister agencies such as
Interval House and/or its partners such as Immigrant
& Visible Minority Women Against Abuse, to
assist a woman in crisis. No woman or child is
ever turned away, though due to the acute shortage
of beds, women are sometimes sent out of town.
Click here
for more information on some of our programs
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| Nelson House is run by a volunteer Board of Directors.
The Board includes a wide range of women with diverse
skills and backgrounds.
The staff of Nelson House consists of a full
time team of front line shelter workers as well
as part time and relief staff. There are two children's
support and advocacy workers at Nelson House.
Staff provide a variety of essential services
such as crisis intervention, conflict resolution,
advocacy with community services, referral to
housing and financial support, suicide prevention,
group facilitation, addiction counselling, working
with youth and children. We endeavour to maintain
a diverse staff that reflects the community we
serve.
The front line shelter workers are supported
by volunteers, who provide administrative assistance
in fundraising initiatives, public education,
and classes in yoga and self defence classes.
The operation of Nelson House is overseen by
an executive Director with the support of an administrative
assistant.
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| Because our clients have such a variety of challenges,
no single agency can possibly meet all of them.
Consequently, Nelson House has worked hard to develop
partnerships with many local agencies. These include,
but are not limited to, The Ottawa Carleton Regional
Police/Victim Crisis Services, Immigrant & Visible
Minority Women Against Abuse, Housing Help, The
Ottawa Housing Registry, Carlington Community and
Health Centre, Catholic Family Services, Family
Service Centre, Interval House, Harmony House, Maison
D’Amitié, Lanark County Interval House,
The Women's Shelter as well as regional health and
resource centres across the region. |
| Nelson House's budget covers the costs associated
with housing, feeding, and providing services to
residents. Core funding comes from the Ministry
of Community, Family and Children’s Services
of Ontario.
As well, we look to fundraising activities to
support programs not covered by government. Fundraising
and donations are essential for Nelson House to
cover budget shortfalls and expenses, which often
make the difference between providing a home instead
of a house.
Nelson House welcomes donations as well as offers
of volunteer assistance. Donors will receive a
tax receipt for their contribution.
Click here
for more information on some of our sponsors
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