FAQ

Question: What are the criteria for staying at an emergency shelter?

Answer: Women (16 or older) requesting admission to the shelter must be in crisis due to violence and abuse in their intimate relationship. It is the responsibility of the intake worker to determine whether or not a client is in crisis and requires emergency shelter. Women coming to the shelter must be able to live cooperatively and care for herself and her children. It may be necessary for some potential clients to come for an assessment prior to being accepted.

Question: Do I have to be physically abused to come to the emergency shelter?

Answer: No. Abuse can take many forms including: physical, emotional, psychological, sexual, spiritual, and financial. Women who experience any type of abuse may stay at the emergency shelter.

Question: Where is the emergency shelter?

Answer: The location of the Shelter is confidential. When you call the Crisis Line at 1-800-263-3247, you will be given instructions on accessing the emergency shelter.

Question: Can I bring my children to the emergency shelter?

Answer: Yes. We accept all female children, and we accept male children up to (and including) 15 years of age. Women with male children the age of sixteen years and over will be requested to make alternative arrangements.

Question: Will my children go to school while I’m staying at the emergency shelter?

Answer: You will work with our Children’s Recreation and Advocacy Worker to continue your children in their present school or enroll them in a local school or daycare centre.

Question: Can I bring my pets to the emergency shelter?

Answer: Unfortunately we cannot accommodate pets in the emergency shelter. We will try to assist you by suggesting alternatives. The Ontario Veterinary Medical Association OVMA’s SafePet Program, which is dedicated to assisting women leaving abusive partners by providing temporary housing and care for their pets. http://www.ovma.org/pet_owners/safepet.html

Question: What should I bring to the emergency shelter?

Answer: If you can, you should bring your identification and your children’s identification such as: birth certificates, passports, immigration papers, health care information, documentation about your housing, proof of residence/cohabitation, lease/rental agreement, house deed, mortgage papers,  divorce papers, custody documentation, court orders, restraining orders, marriage certificate, medication/prescription, bank card and bank information, and your address book (e-mail, website, doctors, friends, etc.).

Question: Do you have extra clothing for me and my children?

Answer: We have some emergency clothing and toiletries at the emergency shelter. You can also go to a local clothing program to choose some clothes free of charge.

Question: What does it cost for me to stay at the emergency shelter?

Answer: There is no cost to stay at the emergency shelter. We are funded by the Ministry of Community and Social Services, as well by the generous support of donations to Yellow Brick House.

Question: Will people know that I’m in the emergency shelter?

Answer: Confidentiality and safety are our highest priorities. We do not disclose the identities of those residing in our emergency shelters.