Empowering People Impacted by Violence

Cowichan Women Against Violence Society (CWAVS) is dedicated to empowering individuals impacted by violence—women, children, and families—by offering safety, healing, advocacy, and education from a feminist, inclusive, trauma-informed perspective. With your support, we provide critical support and pathways to safety:

Women’s Safe Housing

• Cedar Branches Women’s Shelter — A 24/7 low-barrier, wet shelter for women (19+) experiencing homelessness, offering meals, laundry, showers, basic supports, and referral services.
• Somenos Transition House — A free, confidential emergency shelter for women (with or without children) fleeing abuse and violence.
• Kw’i Lelum Second Stage — Time-limited subsidized housing with supportive programming for women and children transitioning from crisis, moving toward independent, market-rate housing.

Counselling Services

• Stopping the Violence — Confidential counselling for women healing from abuse.
• PEACE Child & Youth Counselling — Specialized counselling for children and youth affected by trauma and violence.
• Group Counselling —   Strengthening Families, Holding Your Own in Relationships, Marvelous Moms, and Art Therapy.

Homelessness Prevention

• Homelessness Prevention Program — Support for individuals at risk of homelessness via funds, referrals, and resources.
• Reaching Home (Homelessness Prevention for the Cowichan Valley) — Targeted outreach and support in the Cowichan Valley to prevent homelessness and connect residents with community resources.

Advocacy

• Community Law Advocate Program — Free advocacy and navigation for legal systems, including income support, tenancy, pensions, debt, and employment issues.
• Community-Based Victim Services — Emotional support, crisis intervention, and referrals for victims of violence.

Education & Prevention

• Healthy Relationships — Educational programming in schools and community settings to foster awareness and prevention of relationship violence among youth.
• RentSmart — Practical workshops to build tenancy skills and confidence for people navigating rental housing.
• Raven’s Nest Child & Youth Advocacy Centre — A trauma-informed hub offering advocacy, support, and safe spaces for children and youth.

Men Choose Respect

• A transformative program for men committed to ending coercive or abusive behaviours and building relationships grounded in safety, respect, and accountability.

Why Your Support Matters

• Holistic Impact: CWAVS delivered over 25 life-changing programs, helping more than 6,000 clients by supporting 480 people through the Homelessness Prevention Program and serving over 4,500 meals at Cedar Branches Women’s Shelter.
• Fund & Expand Critical Services: Your generosity helps keep shelters open, counselling accessible, advocacy available, and prevention education thriving.
• Empower Healing & Independence: Donations create safe havens, support emotional recovery, equip people with life skills, and prevent relapse into violence or homelessness.

Join the Movement to End Violence and Build Hope

Support CWAVS today. With your donation, you’re not just opening doors — you’re building bridges to safety, independence, and healing.