Who Are We?
Women’s Resources of Kawartha Lakes, is a not-for-profit, charitable organization created and run by local women. For over 30 years, Women’s Resources has been providing programs throughout the City of Kawartha Lakes to ensure that women and their children, fleeing from abusive situations, can get the help they need to lead lives free of abuse and violence.
The services provided by Women’s Resources are free and confidential.
We are governed by a Board of Directors made up of 12 women from the local community who volunteer their time and expertise. We also have over 40 staff members who work at WR to deliver our services. In addition to our staff, we have a dedicated team of over 90 volunteers. These volunteers contribute countless hours of time and their skills to our agency in a variety of roles. Volunteers are a valued part of our team.
Our Vision
Safety, empowerment and equality for all women.
Our Mission Statement
Working with the community to provide services and supports to abused women and their children and to find opportunities to end violence against women.
- Providing safety and security for women locally
- Offering dedicated support for women who are seeking help from any type of abusive relationship
- Maintaining a safe place for women who need help
- Working together to support women in order to build a better community
Watch Our Video To Learn More About Women’s Resources and Our Call-to-Action Story
Safety
Support
Hope
Caring
The Services We Provide
Accessibility
Women’s Resources strives at all times to provide services in a way that respects the dignity and independence of people with disabilities. We are committed to making our services barrier free.
If you would like a copy of our accessibility policy and plan, we will be pleased to provide you with one and/or read it to you.
We welcome your feedback.
Anti-Human Trafficking
Funded through the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services, WR is pleased to announce in 2021 a new program providing wrap around support to all people identifying as women who are fleeing Human Sex Trafficking. Through this program, survivors will be supported with a one to one advocate who will assist with life skills, housing, and volunteer/employment training to help them break free from the trafficking cycle. We also provide education and awareness to vulnerable youth at risk of trafficking.
Bridges of Kawartha Lakes
Together, with many community partners from law, justice, mental health, CAS, addictions and housing, WR offers a one stop service model where women can receive information, referrals and supports from many agencies on the same day. Our hub operates on Mondays from 9 – 3 at WR. Walk-ins are welcome!
Child Witness Program
Community Services
Individual counselling, support groups, a community support program linking women to community resources and a Resource Centre. The Child Witness Protect Program provides groups for children and youth who have witnessed or experienced abuse in their homes and support groups for their mothers.
316 women received outreach counselling and 160 women received community support to find the resources and housing they needed to help them succeed and continue to build lives free from abuse and domestic violence.
Last year, 46 children who witnessed or experienced abuse or violence in their homes participated in the Child Witness program.
Community Support Program
Court Support
The Family Court Support program offers legal support, information and the ability to connect women in our supports with lawyers who can offer a legal consult at no cost to themselves. With Family Court Support, assistance can be provided to fill out court documents, attend lawyer appointments with women, attend court with women and help with applying for and navigating Legal Aid Ontario.
Outreach Counselling
Women’s Resources offers individual counselling for women and teens who are experiencing abuse or have experienced abuse in the past, including sexual abuse.
Support Groups
A series of support groups, 8 to 10 weeks in length, for women who have encountered violence in their liv
Resource Centre & Community Awareness
Victoria’s Women’s Shelter & Crisis Support Line
18 Bed emergency shelter & crisis support line for women seeking safety and help from abuse or domestic violence. The shelter and crisis support line operates 24 Hours a day, seven days a week. Our emergency shelter housed 73 women and 33 children last year.
How Are We Funded?
Women’s Resources is funded through the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services, Ministry of the Attorney General, federal funding through the Women and Gender Equality, City of Kawartha Lakes and various grants and foundations, corporate and individual donations and events.
If you are looking for more information on upcoming fundraising events, or if you would like more information about how you can help or make a donation, please click here
Newsletters
We keep you informed through our e-newsletters and e-blasts. If you would like to be added to our mailing list, please scroll down to the Sign Up for our Newsletter button at the bottom of this page.
Become a Volunteer for Women’s Resources
Volunteers are the cornerstone of Women’s Resources and support us in many ways. Some of the ways in which volunteers help include: customer service and processing donations at Vicky’s Values Thrift Boutique, shopping and gardening at the shelter, administrative support in program areas and participating in event planning. Fill out our online application below to become a volunteer!
Contact Us
Looking for support? Need help? Trying to find a way out of abuse or domestic violence?