Women’s Place offers services in Port Colborne, Fort Erie
Women’s Place of South Niagara is branching out into other parts of the region by offering programming in Port Colborne and Fort Erie.
The increased services will extend its reach of free and confidential services to help women and children enduring domestic violence.
The Port Colborne office space will be located at Port Cares. Women’s Place staff has been available there since June 27 on Thursdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
The Fort Erie satellite office will be at Bridges Community Health Centre at 1485 Garrison Rd., with Women’s Place representatives on site Mondays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. starting July 22.
Services at both locations will include counselling, safety planning, transitional housing, legal support and access to the agency’s two shelters, Serenity Place in Welland and Nova House in Niagara Falls.
Jennifer Gauthier, acting executive director for the non-profit, said smaller communities’ lack of access to Women’s Place services has always been an issue and was a major factor in the opening of both new weekly locations.
“We’re hearing from clients there is a need for services in the communities that don’t have access to getting to the big city centres.
“It’s important that women and children that are exposed to domestic violence and abuse are able to seek safety and supports,” she said Friday at Port Cares.
She added getting women and children set up with services quickly is vital and a major component of the satellite site.
“If there needs to be an immediate response to their safety needs, that’s what we’re looking at,” she said.
Port Cares executive director Christine Clark Lafleur said her staff can also assist women who require the attention of Women’s Place on days the weekly service is not available.
She stressed it is crucial for organizations to work closely together.
“The more connected the agencies are, the better the outcome for the woman and her family,” she said Friday, noting many women may “not come back for a period of time” if they are told to return on another day.
A “hold and secure” approach will be applied when staff recognize that what Women’s Place offers is required to help someone, or could compliment the array of services at Port Cares.
The mission of Women’s Place is to stop abuse and violence against women and children by providing safety through shelter, counselling, education, advocacy and community partnerships.
Anyone experiencing abuse or violence who requires services can phone 905-7880113, a confidential 24-hour support line that services Welland, Port Colborne, Wainfleet, Pelham and the surrounding areas.
Individuals in Niagara Falls, Fort Erie and surrounding areas can phone 905-3565800.