Good Shepherd Women’s Services

Over the past 25 years, Good Shepherd has established a network of two residential facilities for women in crisis, as well as a family of programs designed specifically for their needs. Good Shepherd Women’s Services is dedicated to providing a continuum of support to women and their children as they work to achieve healthy and abuse-free lives.

In 1983, Martha House, a secure transition shelter, opened its doors in response to the escalating numbers of women and children fleeing domestic violence and abuse.

In 1995, Mary’s Place was opened to provide emergency shelter for single women seeking shelter and support and who may be coping with issues of homelessness, poverty, mental illness and abuse.

In 2007, Good Shepherd established Outreach Services for Women and Children, which provides a variety of counselling and support programs for women and children living in the community who are coping with the impact of abuse.

In January 2011, Martha House, Mary’s Place, and Women’s Outreach moved to a single facility located at our new site, Good Shepherd Square. The new Women’s Services Centre expanded the capacity from our previous locations. A major feature of this newly built building is the fully furnished, self-contained units that can allow the women and children to have a much more dignified temporary living space while focusing on their real problems and issues.

The SAGE Family Camp Program was founded in 1992 as a joint initiative of Good Shepherd Women’s Services and the Catholic Youth Organization. During the winter and in the summer, moms and their children who have experienced domestic violence can put aside their worries and enjoy a host of new and exciting experiences in the great Canadian outdoors.

Good Shepherd Women’s Services is dedicated to providing a continuum of services to women and their children that supports them in overcoming the barriers they face in achieving healthy, meaningful, violence-free lives in our community.