OUR PROJECTS
Housing Project – Phase 1: Research; Phase 2: Planning & Development; Phase 3: Breaking Ground
In order to understand the links between homelessness and criminalization, EFSNWO collaborated with Lakehead University to conduct research on justice system involvement in the context of homelessness and housing insecurity among women in Thunder Bay. The report identified gaps in the systems and services needed to support this vulnerable sector and made recommendations which we are in the process of implementing as we move forward into the next phase of our Housing Initiative: Planning and Development.
Over the past three years we have developed a strategic plan, educated our communities, and expanded our base of supporters to meet our end goal of providing transitional housing for criminalized women in Thunder Bay. This phase was achieved through 3 roundtable discussions across Northern Ontario in Kenora, Sault Ste. Marie and Thunder Bay. We brought together service providers, policy makers, and People with Lived Experience (PWLE) to educate community leaders, develop partnerships with key stakeholders, and foster community support. We also presented our findings at conferences, meetings with government officials, and community-based events.
We are still in Phase 2 of our Transition Housing Project. We have established a Housing Committee to oversee the development of a transitional housing program. In 2021, we opened our first Transition House which consists of a 4-bedroom leased apartment where occupants are able to reside for up to a year. With financial support from Reaching Home and the Thunder Bay District Social Services Board, we have been able to provide case management services to the occupants of the house as they work towards their goal of securing stable housing and becoming independent.
We are also working toward establishing our very own transition house that will house 8 to 10 occupants. In the meantime the Housing Committee has worked with a consultant to develop our vision of the transition house. We have begun focusing our fundraising efforts , including a Go Fund Me campaign, on the transitional housing initiative and we are investigating potential funding sources to cover the building and operational costs.
To read the full report or to obtain a copy of our round table presentation visit our Reports and Presentations section of our website located under Resources.
This project has been made possible through the support of:
The Law Foundation of Ontario, Lakehead University, The Catherine Donnelly Foundation, Reaching Home, District of Thunder Bay Social Services Administration Board and Private Donations
Court Support Services
Commencing June 2022, we will have a dedicated full time court support services coordinator to provide information and assistance to clients charged with criminal offenses and facilitate their participation in the criminal justice system The new program will incorporate virtual and digital court processes that were introduced during the Covid pandemic as well as in- person proceedings. The coordinator will offer a range of court navigation services, pre-court, in-court and post-court, including accessing legal aid, collaborating with lawyers on bail plans and release plans, identifying housing options and programming options, facilitating transportation and making referrals to mental health and addictions services. She will hold community consultations to identify the gaps and challenges that women and gender diverse people currently experience in fully participating in their court proceedings. Recommendations from these focus groups will be incorporated into the court support operational policies. Instructional materials and a staff manual will also be developed to carry this work forward. Funding for this project has been generously provided by the Ontario Trillium Foundation.
Housing Project – Phase 1: Research; Phase 2: Planning & Development; Phase 3: Breaking Ground
In order to understand the links between homelessness and criminalization, EFSNWO collaborated with Lakehead University to conduct research on justice system involvement in the context of homelessness and housing insecurity among women in Thunder Bay. The report identified gaps in the systems and services needed to support this vulnerable sector and made recommendations which we are in the process of implementing as we move forward into the next phase of our Housing Initiative: Planning and Development.
Over the past three years we have developed a strategic plan, educated our communities, and expanded our base of supporters to meet our end goal of providing transitional housing for criminalized women in Thunder Bay. This phase was achieved through 3 roundtable discussions across Northern Ontario in Kenora, Sault Ste. Marie and Thunder Bay. We brought together service providers, policy makers, and People with Lived Experience (PWLE) to educate community leaders, develop partnerships with key stakeholders, and foster community support. We also presented our findings at conferences, meetings with government officials, and community-based events.
We are still in Phase 2 of our Transition Housing Project. We have established a Housing Committee to oversee the development of a transitional housing program. In 2021, we opened our first Transition House which consists of a 4-bedroom leased apartment where occupants are able to reside for up to a year. With financial support from Reaching Home and the Thunder Bay District Social Services Board, we have been able to provide case management services to the occupants of the house as they work towards their goal of securing stable housing and becoming independent.
We are also working toward establishing our very own transition house that will house 8 to 10 occupants. In the meantime the Housing Committee has worked with a consultant to develop our vision of the transition house. We have begun focusing our fundraising efforts , including a Go Fund Me campaign, on the transitional housing initiative and we are investigating potential funding sources to cover the building and operational costs.
To read the full report or to obtain a copy of our round table presentation visit our Reports and Presentations section of our website located under Resources.
This project has been made possible through the support of:
The Law Foundation of Ontario, Lakehead University, The Catherine Donnelly Foundation, Reaching Home, District of Thunder Bay Social Services Administration Board and Private Donations
Court Support Services
Commencing June 2022, we will have a dedicated full time court support services coordinator to provide information and assistance to clients charged with criminal offenses and facilitate their participation in the criminal justice system The new program will incorporate virtual and digital court processes that were introduced during the Covid pandemic as well as in- person proceedings. The coordinator will offer a range of court navigation services, pre-court, in-court and post-court, including accessing legal aid, collaborating with lawyers on bail plans and release plans, identifying housing options and programming options, facilitating transportation and making referrals to mental health and addictions services. She will hold community consultations to identify the gaps and challenges that women and gender diverse people currently experience in fully participating in their court proceedings. Recommendations from these focus groups will be incorporated into the court support operational policies. Instructional materials and a staff manual will also be developed to carry this work forward. Funding for this project has been generously provided by the Ontario Trillium Foundation.