Our Vision:We are building an inclusive community that empowers women to grow and thriveOur Mission:We are driven to provide integrated support for women as they move forward in their own journeyOur Values: ​We respect and value every voiceWe lead with empathy and compassionWe champion inclusionWe are always adaptingWe advocate for all women          About STREET HAVENStreet Haven is an award-winning multi-service women's agency. It was most recently recognized by the Ontario Non-Profit Housing Association for Excellence in the work we do in going above and beyond for our clients (Award for Excellence 2023 (onpha.on.ca) . We were also recognized by MoneySense financial magazine as one of Canada’s top-rated 100 charities for 2019. In 1965, An emergency room nurse Peggy Ann Walpole, identified the lack of services and support for women who were marginalized and at risk. She proceeded to take action with the development of the first emergency shelter for women in Toronto, known then and now as Street Haven. Over the years the organization has expanded services to provide a continuum of support to a broad and diverse community of women.Since the pandemic, several crises have intersected: the homeless crisis, the housing affordability crisis, the women's crisis and the homeless refugee crisis.  Street Haven is working at the nexus of these major issues. The demand for all our services, shelter, supportive housing, addictions treatment, training and employment supports have never been greater. Our clients are marginalized and vulnerable. The majority are living in extreme poverty, have addiction challenges, challenged by complex mental health and trauma issues and many are also fleeing abuse and gender-based violence.In Toronto, an estimated 4,000 women do not have permanent shelter, and this puts them at considerable risk every night.Women who are marginalized talk about how they feel invisible and silenced. Street Haven provides the opportunity to be seen and heard – an essential pathway to personal dignity and respect.Annually, we serve 1,000 women.  These are interconnected and delivered across the organization in several locations with a variety of programs addressing specific needs and challenges. Services are inclusive and centered around the women’s needs and informed by best practices designed to support women who have experienced significant trauma in their lives. OVERVIEW OF PROGRAMSHousing Services provides oversight of the 50 bed Emergency Shelter and 32 Supportive Housing units across the City. Additionally, Outreach and Sustainability Services supports clients in the search for, securement of and sustainable tenancy in affordable housing.The Emergency Shelters (open 24/7) offers the necessities of life: a safe environment, three daily nutritious meals, a warm shower, clothing, basic needs, and medical care. The Shelter’s trained and compassionate staff provide case management, support in life planning, and crisis intervention. It operates at 100% capacity every day.The Supportive Housing Program provides permanent supportive housing in three different Toronto locations. Women learn to live independently after chronic homelessness, recovery from past trauma, dealing with mental health issues and/or substance abuse. Each facility offers staffing and associated support that is reflective of the needs of residents and their current level of independence.Outreach and Sustainability services support women to find and keep a place they can call home through the “Coming Home” Program. This Program engages landlords and property management companies to collaborate in housing strategies and process to support marginalized women with sustainable affordable housing options. Housing Services includes the following:Client Supports to assist women with immediate needs such as replacement of government IDs, social assistance registration, medical appointments and support with anything that is a barrier to independent living and social and workforce integration.Housing Supports to determine the most suitable housing solution (market housing, social housing, supportive housing etc.) for each woman, and individualized support with completing associated registrations, applications and forms. Clients who are struggling with substance use and addiction may be referred to Addiction Services as a first step towards housing.Life Skills to support: enhancement of life and conflict resolution skills, positive landlord/property management interviews, being good tenants, budget and problem solving, safety orientation for on-line roommates and rentals, and the development of community support networks to increase the likelihood of sustainable housing.Landlord Outreach to develop a network of landlords with properties that are now rented to those who previously would have been seen as challenging tenants (chronically homeless women) and who would otherwise be declined. The opportunity to engage property companies and landlords in being part of the solution to the challenges faced by women impacted by homelessness is a key driver to this component.Landlord Support addresses the perceived risk of renting to women who have complex life stories and are homeless by providing organizational support and consultation. It is a proactive approach which enables the landlord, with support from staff, to address tenant issues before eviction is the only option.Community partnerships collaborate on the issue of homelessness and housing including the Province of Ontario, the City of Toronto, diverse community agencies and several associations and networks. Demonstrating leadership, Street Haven has brought a pioneering housing sustainability program, RentSmart, to Toronto and will launch it in 2019 with community partners. The Program supports tenants and educates landlords.Housing Stabilization Outreach. This program prevents clients from losing housing. An intensive case management approach ensures that women at-risk gain supports to stabilize. Addiction Services support women who are struggling with substance dependency and often living in poverty and at risk of homelessness. Many of the women have experienced the trauma of sexual, emotional and/or physical abuse. Services are delivered through an In-Residence Treatment Program, Outreach Support Program and Post Care Program which provide services along the continuum of recovery.The 90-day intensive In-Residence Treatment Program is in a comfortable 8 bed home-like setting in midtown Toronto. The Program focuses on changes in lifestyle, behavior and the individual recovery goals of each woman through the delivery of group sessions, addiction support counselling and community engagement. All meals are all shared in a communal dining room.The Outreach and Support Program is available for women in the community who require support, resources, counselling and help in setting goals and strategies around substance use. Services are informed by the principles of Harm Reduction and supports women in successful identification and achievement of goals.Mental Services support women who are struggling with mental health issues and trauma.  Through trauma-informed one on one and group counselling and other interventions including art and music therapy, women are given critical supports.Academic and Pre-Employment Skills Services delivers a series of life skill related workshops for women who are homeless and connects them to community services as part of a pre-employment strategy. These services are offered at the Street Haven Learning Centre located in the Adelaide Women’s Resource Centre. A Computer Literacy Program is delivered in a Computer Lab that provides computer and internet access for women who would otherwise be unable to be “connected” in an ever-increasing online world. Women can also increase language, literacy and numeracy skills by participating in formal classroom sessions for academic support and upgrade. The learning process is directed by a teacher and supported by volunteer tutors.