Mission Statement

To change and enhance the quality of our community family of women and their children through the provisions of a comprehensive range of: accessible, protective, sensitive, and safe services, according to the needs of our clients.

Statement of Values

In order to fulfill our vision and mission, we believe:

The needs of our clients are the focus of our work and efforts
Quality of care and service is the primary responsibility of each staff member
Staff are our most important resource and shall be respected, valued and supported
Ongoing staff development is essential
Timely, multidirectional, relevant communication is vital
Freedom and autonomy are essential in fostering creativity, innovation and a sense of self worth
Personal initiatives are encouraged, which enhance our vision and mission
Change shall always be accepted
Multidisciplinary planning is essential in the integration and coordination of core and administrative managerial activities
Decision-making includes appropriate delegation and participation of those involved and affected
Staff at all levels develop resources
Conflict shall be managed effectively, constructively and respectfully
Responsibility, individual initiatives and performance shall be appreciated and appropriately acknowledged

We believe:

violence against women and children exists in our society;
the inequalities between men and women which remain embedded in the social, economic, political and educational structures of society support this violence; and
the interpersonal and intergenerational cycles of violence will continue and escalate in our society without appropriate intervention.

We believe in the rights of abused women which we deem to be:

the right to live and raise children in a nonviolent environment;
the right to freedom from abuse and the fear of abuse;
the right to expression free from control and isolation;
the right to pursue personal growth and the development of individual talents and abilities;
the right to request and receive appropriate assistance from society's institutions;
the right to adequate services for children who have been harmed by a violent home environment;
the right to be empowered so that autonomous choices can be made;
the right to be treated in a non-judgmental, validating manner; and
the right to all information that is available which might help in gaining personal insight and in making positive decisions for the future.

We believe it is our responsibility to:

provide shelter services and educational programming to victims of family violence and the public at large;
empower women and children;
educate people to end violence and oppression;
develop community partnerships; and
promote justice and equality for all;
promote healing and self-awareness in people;
value and respect diversity and uniqueness;
be a catalyst for networking, sharing, nurturing, and support;
respect and value all cultures and traditions;
promote and support changes to our hierarchal society which supports the abuse of power and control;
ensure that women have the right to self-determination and the right to make informed choices;
aid in the fulfilment of the above mentioned rights through ameliorative and preventative programming;
assist both the professional and lay community to understand the historical roots, dynamics and implications of family violence;
work in a coordinated manner with other professionals who provide service to abused women; and
work within the Social Work Code of Ethics.