Community Knowledge Centre - Toronto Community Foundation

About this organization

Mission

The Redwood exists to support women and their children to live free from domestic abuse by providing safe, accessible services that will help them reach their goals. We operate within an anti-racist anti-oppressive framework and are committed to social change through education and action.

History of Organization

Back in 1987, a group of neighbours were united by the same cause: the pressing need for a safe haven in the Parkdale-High Park community for women and children fleeing domestic abuse.

In 1991, they secured a rundown former warehouse, and set about the enormous task of transforming the building into a welcoming new home. Just like an old-fashioned barn-raising, hundreds of volunteers from across the city grabbed their tools and came together. Building materials were donated, and carpenters, plumbers and electricians generously volunteered their services. People from all walks of life joined in to help any way they could.

It was an uphill struggle – but incredible determination and a can-do attitude earned The Redwood the nickname The Little Shelter That Could. And thanks to the incredible effort of a community, The Redwood opened its doors to welcome its first family on December 6, 1993.

More than 15 years later, this little shelter has had a big impact. The Redwood has provided crucial emotional, social and practical support – from a secure home, to counselling, to legal support – to help thousands of families get their lives back on track after escaping violence.

Accolades and Accomplishments

• Our 24-hour Crisis Line offers help in 170 different languages.

• The Redwood was the first shelter in Toronto to become fully wheel-chair accessible to women and children with disabilities.

• We operate in an anti-racism, anti-oppression framework – that means we strive to give every woman who turns to us culturally sensitive support, and work with her to overcome the systemic barriers she faces as she makes her journey toward a new life, free from violence. 

• In 2009, The Redwood received the Philanthropy Award for Outstanding Small Organization for Excellence in Fundraising from the Association of Fundraising Professionals Toronto Chapter – an honour recognizing steadfast dedication to ethical fundraising, and transformational leadership in encouraging the spirit of giving.

Programs

>Crisis Line and Emergency Shelter
>Child and Youth Program
>Outreach and Leadership

The Redwood gives women and children a lifeline out of abuse in 170 different languages. At The Redwood, families get the emotional, practical and social support they need to get their lives back on track, and find the promise of a better future. We provide:        

Safe Haven

When women and their children arrive at The Redwood, their needs are urgent and immediate:  protection, and physical and emotional support.  We offer women and children a safe place to stay, nutritious meals, and the basics they need – like clothing, diapers or school supplies – to start over.

We work with each family to develop a personalized plan that begins with a risk and needs assessment, and continues with one-on-one counselling, therapeutic and educational support groups, and recreational activities.

Connection and support

One of the most painful symptoms of abuse is a feeling of isolation and loneliness.  That’s why The Redwood is a place of connection.  At The Redwood, women and their children find a caring and nurturing place where they can meet other families just like them.  And through the sharing of experience, a sense of acceptance and self-worth grows.

Our services include art and play therapy groups for children and toddlers, peer support groups for youth and teens, and a mother/child drop-in.

A Springboard Back into the Community

The Redwood works to get women and their children safely re-established back into the community. We provide assistance in many different ways – all designed to build confidence and self-reliance.

We help with career development, school upgrading, finding affordable housing, and setting up a new home.

Crisis Line and Emergency Shelter

When a woman calls The Redwood’s Crisis Line, there’s a chance her life could be in serious danger. When we receive a call, a highly trained Crisis Counsellor does an emergency assessment to determine if a woman and her family are in immediate danger. If their lives are at risk, we dispatch the police – otherwise, we can get a cab over to the family to bring them to safety within the hour.

Once women and their children first arrive at The Redwood’s 33-bed emergency shelter, their needs are urgent and immediate: protection, and physical and emotional support.

The safety of the families we work with is our top priority - our shelter location is confidential, and our building is highly secure, so women and children can finally rest assured that they are safely out of reach of their abuser.

Many of the families who come to The Redwood share similar feelings of fear and confusion – and yet, every woman and child we work with is different. Donors like you enable us to work closely with each resident from the first moment they arrive, gently uncovering their individual needs, and developing a customized program of counselling and care.

Funding and Program Partners

The Redwood’s services are supported by financial donations from generous community members. Our operations are funded in part by the Ontario Ministry of Community and Social Services, and we are a member agency of United Way Toronto.

Program Impact

Over 150 women and children found safe haven at The Redwood’s emergency shelter over the course of the past year – these families may have had nowhere to turn without the help of people like you.

Toronto's Vital Signs® indicator(s) addressed by Program

“In 2008, use of emergency shelters rose almost 30% in Toronto.”

(Toronto’s Vital Signs®, 2009)

Participant Vignette

"I believed what he said - that I was nothing." Deanna lived in a violent marriage for almost a decade, and years of abuse had left her with no self-esteem.

Finally, on New Year's Eve, Deanna left home for good. She desperately wanted a better life for her two young children.

Deanna remembers being very afraid and nervous that day. When her husband left for work, she made some calls, and found out there was space available at The Redwood.

Deanna and her children celebrated New Year's at The Redwood that very same evening. She remembers feeling like she was truly starting a new life. "At that moment, I felt that me and my kids were free."

However, her journey was anything but easy. She cried constantly for almost two weeks upon her arrival.

But thanks to community members like you, Deanna was able to rebuild her self-confidence, and regain control of her life. With the support of our donors, The Redwood helped Deanna secure subsidized daycare for her children, find an affordable new home, and launch a rewarding career at one of Canada's top banks, where she recently received an employee award in recognition of her outstanding contributions.

Deanna continues to hold a special place in her heart for The Redwood and its supporters: "I am so proud that we came from The Redwood and I always consider them as part of my family. When you hear about domestic abuse and violence, I am the face. Thanks to you, I can now hold my head high."

Child and Youth Program

Over 70% of The Redwood’s shelter residents are children, and most are under the age of 8. Many of these children have witnessed horrifying scenes of violence, and many have suffered abuse themselves.

Many of the children at The Redwood are too young to have words to describe the pain and confusion they feel after fleeing an abusive home. We work with children using art and play therapy, so they can tell their own story - with the support and guidance of a team of caring staff and volunteers - using paints, crayons, collages and crafts.

The stress of starting a new school and leaving old friends behind can mean their academic performance suffers. You can help us provide children who need additional support with the daily one-on-one attention of a volunteer tutor – and with your support, children who are struggling with their studies have the opportunity to fulfill their potential.

With the help of donors like you, The Redwood has developed a new initiative called Little Mentors for children and youth aged 9 and up. Little Mentors teaches children and youth to be role models and mentors for the younger children at the shelter, and helps them build pride and confidence by planning and delivering activities for the younger children.

Funding and Program Partners

The Redwood’s services are supported by financial donations from generous community members. Our operations are funded in part by the Ontario Ministry of Community and Social Services, and we are a member agency of United Way Toronto.

Program Impact

The Child and Youth Program helps kids rebuild their sense of self worth, and achieve the skills, independence and security they need to break the cycle of violence.

Toronto's Vital Signs® indicator(s) addressed by Program

“Only 5% of kids in the city’s neighbourhoods with the highest numbers of 6-12 year olds have after-school programs to go to.”

(Toronto’s Vital Signs®, 2009)

Participant Vignette

"No - I don't want to go!" shouted three-year-old Michael. While the rest of the kids were gearing up for story time during Summer Book Club, Michael refused to participate.

But just a few minutes later – and much to everyone's surprise – he was sitting contentedly with the rest of the group. What helped him change his mind?

Thanks to our donors’ continuing investment in The Redwood's Child and Youth Program, Michael's mentor was able to work with him one-on-one so that he felt comfortable and excited about reading.

Through the Little Mentors initiative, children and youth age nine and older are given the chance to develop leadership skills and build healthy relationships by assisting younger shelter residents. Little Mentors also build pride and confidence by helping plan and deliver activities for the younger children.

In honour of Earth Day this year, the Little Mentors showed their younger mentees how to make a craft using recycled materials, and led the children in a special community clean-up. And one mentor is currently devising a plan to teach the kids how to play cricket!

With the support of people like you, children and youth who have experienced domestic abuse can have the opportunity for a brighter future by taking part in new initiatives, like the exciting Little Mentors Program.

Outreach and Leadership

The Redwood gives women and children a lifeline out of an abusive home. Our Outreach team travels around the city to meet with women right in their own neighbourhoods, and provide them with practical information about the steps they can take to keep their families safe.

We hand out lipstick cases, each concealing a Safety Plan – a small piece of paper listing the practical actions a woman can take to prepare to break free from her abuser and safely escape to a shelter with her children.

The Outreach program works in tandem with The Redwood’s Women on the Move Leadership Development Program, which works with newcomer women who are abuse survivors to become community leaders, and contribute their unique talents, while helping other women and their communities to address violence against women.

Participants in the Women on the Move program receive training in public speaking, group facilitation, and other leadership skills. They use those skills to deliver workshops where they courageously share their own personal stories to help other women living with abuse, and ultimately, help create healthier and safer communities.

Funding and Program Partners

The Redwood’s services are supported by financial donations from generous community members. Our operations are funded in part by the Ontario Ministry of Community and Social Services, and we are a member agency of United Way Toronto. Women on the Move is funded by Status of Women Canada, and the Ontario Trillium Foundation.

Program Impact

Last year, with supporters like you behind us, our Outreach Team was able to reach over 525 women to provide practical information about how to break free from domestic abuse, and safely escape to a shelter.

In addition, 10 women have graduated from the Women on the Move program, and are acting as community leaders on the issue of violence against women.  

Toronto's Vital Signs® indicator(s) addressed by Program

“47% of Torontonians are visible minorities, yet fill just 13% of the GTA’s leadership roles.”

(Toronto’s Vital Signs®, 2009)

Participant Vignette

Desta is a young, passionate woman, activist and educator. She fought for gender equality in her home country — and paid a horrifying price for asserting her rights.

Her activism made her a target for brutal abuse by the police. Living in constant fear for her safety, she left behind her home, family and friends, and fled to Canada.

The violence she suffered at the hands of the police left Desta with post-traumatic stress — even the sight of a uniform or officer could trigger fear, panic and flashbacks.

She was able to find the help she needed from The Redwood when she met a member of our Outreach Team at a local community centre.

“The big thing I got was psychological counselling, and emotional strength — now, I’m confident, I’m very confident.”

Desta also participated in the Women on the Move leadership program, and thanks to the support of community members like you, is continuing to put her skills to work, providing a lifeline to other women trapped in abusive relationships.

“I believe that education is the main tool to stop and prevent violence. Whatever opportunity I get, I talk about violence, I talk about getting help, and I talk about The Redwood. Organizations like The Redwood can stop violence. For me, this has big meaning — you are saving lives!”