VAW Emergency Shelter
Optimism Place Women’s Shelter and Support Services supports women alone or with children to live free of abuse by providing shelter and confidential, non-judgmental services. We are committed to ending the cycle of abuse and violence by raising awareness through prevention, intervention, education and advocacy.
Address: 270 Freeland Drive, Stratford, Ontario
Crisis Line: 519-271-5550
Email: selena@optimismplace.com
Web: http://www.optimismplace.com
Hours of operation: 24/7
Services Available:
VAW Shelter
VAW Counselling/Support Services
VAW Legal Support/Advocacy
VAW Housing Support/Advocacy/THSP
VAW Crisis Line Support
Transitional/Second Stage Housing Program
Sexual Assault Individual Counselling Services
Sexual Assault Group Counselling Services
Support/service for children/youth who have experienced violence/abuse
Support/service for children/youth who have witnessed violence/abuse
Legal Services/Advocacy
Community-based advocacy services
Survivor engagement groups
Organization Located In: Rural/Urban Mix (population 30,000-99,999)
Languages Available: English
Translation Services: Yes
Initial Contact: In-person (walk in services), Phone
Ongoing Service Delivery: In-person, Text, Phone
Accessibility: Yes, fully
Gender-neutral Bathrooms: Yes
Childcare Services: Yes, call to inquire
Pet Accommodations: Coordinate with local humane societies
Specialized/targeted Programming:
Children and Youth
Indigenous survivors
LGBTQ+
Newcomer
Older Adults
People with Precarious Status
Sex workers
Substance Users
Survivors of Exploitation and Human Trafficking
Two Spirited, Gender Diverse, Gender Non-Conforming and Trans Individuals
Inclusivity Policies: Informed-Consent Framework, Informed-Consent (Policy Includes Complaint Procedure), Anti-Racism Anti-Oppression (Policy Includes Complaint Procedure), Sex-Work Positive – Policy Includes Complaint Procedure, Harm Reduction (Policy Includes Complaint Procedure), Feminist Intersectional Framework (Policy Includes Complaint Procedure), Service Trans and Non-Binary (Policy Includes Complaint Procedure), Anti-Racism and Anti-Oppression Framework, Informed-Consent (Policy Includes Training), Anti-Racism Anti-Oppression (Policy Includes Training), Sex-Work Positive – Policy Includes Training, Harm Reduction (Policy Includes Training), Feminist Intersectional Framework (Policy Includes Training), Service Trans and Non-Binary (Policy Includes Training), Sex-Work Positive Framework, Harm Reduction Framework, Feminist Intersectional Framework, Organization-wide capacity to provide responsive service to trans and non-binary individuals and communities
Transportation Costs Provided For: Emergency Transportation (to shelter), Public Transportation for programming/appointments