Programs & ServicesA safe place for women and children,
If you want to talk about your situation, trained staff members are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
If you have been living in an abusive relationship, you may feel confused and afraid and not know where to turn or what to do. You may have mixed feelings of love and anger; wanting the abuse to end, but not wanting the relationship to be over. You may know that things need to change but not know how that can happen or what services or resources are available in our community. You may have a lot of questions about the future and about where you might find support and safety.
Our Outreach Program is a free, safe and confidential service for women 18 years and older, who have experienced abuse in relationships.
The Outreach Worker can meet with you in the safe and comfortable atmosphere of the Shelter, or in a safe place in the community. Childcare can be arranged at the Shelter for women who need to meet with the Outreach Worker.
The Kelowna Women's Shelter offers free, safe, confidential counselling and support services and short term housing to women and children who have experienced relationship abuse. The Shelter provides a safe and comfortable place to stay, food and other essentials, assistance with transportation and childcare, advocacy and accompaniment to appointments and court, individual and group counselling, and follow up support after your stay.
The Kelowna Women's Shelter recognizes that many women who have experienced relationship abuse need of a longer period of safe, supportive and affordable housing before transitioning into their own homes.
Children Who Witness Abuse Brochure
Mothers who have experienced abuse face many challenges in making healthy changes for their families. These challenges may include dealing with parental custody and access issues, single parenting, dealing with behavioural problems or concerns, talking to children about what has happened in the family and helping children to cope with their feelings in a healthy and constructive way.
Inside/Out is a community based program, designed to reduce relationship abuse by encouraging positive, respectful relationships. It is offered by the Kelowna Women's Shelter in schools and community settings, free of charge. We believe that information and education can empower our youth to create a future without violence and abuse.
Inside/Out:
-Explores beliefs that contribute to forming healthy relationships with self and others.
-Provides a safe and non judegmental setting where youth are encouraged to share ideas, express thoughts and feelings and be creative and inspired.
-Focuses on values that define healthy social behavior and social networking.
-Fosters the development of critical thinking skills that empower youth to make positive lifestyle choices.
-Equips youth with the tools to break the cycle of abuse.
Group facilitators of Inside/Out, support participants in developing positive self-esteem and identity and in building respectful relationships. Through the sharing of information, group discussions, critical thinking activities and multimedia resources, youth are given the opportunity to learn tools that will help them make healthy value-based life choices.
-Inside/Out is delivered in schools grades K-12 and in various community settings such as youth groups and youth clubs.
-It is offered to both boys and girls and groups may be gender separated or mixed.
-Single workshops and presentations or weekly groups of 6-12 weeks, can be accommodated.
-Group content is age and gender appropriate, being flexible and adaptable, so as to best meet the needs of the participants.
Inside/Out is also a proud partner in the YM-YWCA sponsored Week Without Violence in October 2011.
The Kelowna Women’s Shelter provides residents with transportation assistance for necessary appointments, either by:
- providing a ride in a Shelter vehicle
- arranging for a taxi
- providing bus tickets
The Kelowna Women's Shelter is staffed and provides services 24 hours per day, every day of the year. You can call 250-763-1040 and speak to a counsellor on the telephone at any time of the day or night.
You can also call to arrange an appointment to see a counsellor, either at our office or at a location in the community that is safe and accessible for you.
