Photo © Courtesy of The Denise House
The Denise House is an emergency shelter serving the Durham region for 36 years, providing a safe, supportive, and inclusive environment to abused women and their children in Durham region. The shelter strives to provide integrated, anti-racist, anti-oppression services to empower the diversity of all women to choose their own future. The Denise House further exists to educate the public at large about issues resulting from the abuse, oppression, and discrimination of women and their children.
Emergency Shelter Support and Crisis Counselling Services Include:
- Secure Emergency Shelter for women and children fleeing abuse of any kind (whether physical, emotional, sexual, or financial) 24-hours a day, 365 days a year
- Confidential 24 hour crisis and supportive assistance by telephone or in-person at the shelter
- Emergency transportation to the shelter
- Food, clothing, and basic personal necessities
- Supportive counselling for women; safety planning; goal planning
- Women’s therapeutic wellness groups
- Children’s Program staff to support children
- Help finding community resources and supports
- Legal and court support referrals and information about rights
- Assistance with Special Priority for rent geared to income housing
- Crisis Counselling and Transitional Support
Community Outreach Support Counselling
Our Outreach Support Workers provide support to women and their children who are currently involved in an abusive relationship, are planning on leaving or have left a partner, and would like further options to empower themselves to move forward to a healthy, abuse-free life. We work together with women to help establish short and long-term goal planning based on their individual
needs. Support and follow-up are provided through telephone support, email, home visits, or an alternative safe location to meet.
Services Include:
- Short-term Supportive Counselling
- Goal Planning
- Safety Planning
- Advocacy, Resources, and Referrals
- Housing Support
Housing Support Program
At the Denise House, we understand that abuse often has lasting effects that may interfere with a woman’s ability to ask questions, gather information, weigh out options, make decisions, and take action. The Housing Support Program offers one-on-one support and advocacy to women and children from abusive relationships to obtain suitable and safe accommodations. You can expect a progressive step-by-step program to help you:
- Find out options
- Gain access to community resources
- Develop plans based on your individual needs
- Understand your rights and responsibilities towards building a lasting tenancy
Community Child & Youth Counselling
The Community Child and Youth Worker is available to support children and youth ages five to 18 through issues of family change, recognizing healthy and unhealthy relationships, positive ways to express their feelings, healthy ways to release and overcome feelings of anger, and building positive self-esteem.
The Community Child and Youth Worker will assess and offer group opportunities and individual support according to the needs of each child/youth.
Women’s Therapeutic Wellness Groups
Women’s therapeutic wellness group takes place every week. It provides a safe and supportive environment for women to share, heal and support one another. Women will often state that they look forward to these groups as it gives them space to focus on themselves and their healing journey without the ongoing distractions of life responsibilities. Group topics change weekly and focus on various skills, including coping and grounding, self-esteem, letting go, and healthy versus unhealthy relationships. Groups also include nature walks, yoga, adult colouring, journaling, and other therapeutic activities for residents to explore.
No one should have to live in fear. You are NOT alone. We can help.
24-Hour Toll-Free Crisis Line: 1-800-263-3725
Visit our website for more information at www.thedenisehouse.com
Get your free copy of Global Heroes, jam-packed with positive news, straight in your inbox.
The Denise House exists to provide a safe, supportive and inclusive environment to abused women and their children in Durham Region and strives to provide integrated, anti-racist, anti-oppression services to empower the diversity of all women to choose their own future.
