Crossroads

Have you been...

• hit?
• hurt?
• pushed?
• threatened?
• called names?

Do you feel...

• afraid for yourself?
• afraid for your children?
• alone?
• put down?
• powerless?
• depressed?

Crossroads can help. Crossroads is a safe and secure shelter for women with or without children.

It's not your fault

Abuse of women isn't about an argument that got out of hand. It is about the abuser's desire for power and control. Abusers are responsible for their own behaviour.

You are not alone

• 1 in 4 women are experiencing violence by a current or past intimate partner.
• 1 in 5 men living with a woman admits to using violence against her.
• Assault of women occurs throughout our society. It happens in all economic, social, racial, ethnic and age groups.
• Abuse of women is not new, it has been around for centuries.
• You have a right to live free from fear and free from violence.

Crossroads offers...

• A safe place to stay for you and your children.
• Confidential 24 hour crisis and support counselling by phone in the shelter.
• Transportation to the shelter.
• Food and clothing for you and your children.
• Help finding community resources and supports.
• Supportive counsellors who care and will listen to you.
• A children's program.
• Legal and court support and information about your rights.

Do you want someone to talk to or a safe place to stay because you are being abused or threatened? Call Crossroads 743-4135 (TTY) or 743-8922 (TTY) 1-800-461-7656 (TTY) (this is a free call). These numbers will not appear on your phone bill and we do not have call display.

We want our services to meet your needs. Do you have a suggestion, special request or difficulty with our service? We want to know! Please call a shelter supervisor at 743-4015 (TTY) or 743-3526.


Frequently Asked Questions about YWCA Crossroads

Do I have to move to Crossroads to get help?

NO! You can get help from Crossroads counsellors in many ways. You can call the crisis line - even if you are not in crisis - to get support and information. You can come to Crossroads to see what it is like before you make a decision to move in. You can make appointments to talk with a counsellor either at Crossroads or at another location. You can take part in an eight week support group for women which we run twice a year.

What is the cost of Crossroads?

There is no charge.

How long can I stay?

The average length of stay at Crossroads is three weeks. Some women stay longer, some stay for only a few nights. It is up to you, in consultation with the Crossroads counsellors.

Can I bring my children?

Yes! Children are welcome.

Is there a curfew?

Not for adult women. If you are between 16 and 18 years old (not staying with a parent, but staying on your own) there is an 11 pm curfew, and no overnights away from the shelter are allowed. Women over the age of 18 have no curfew. We recommend no more than 2 overnights away from the shelter per week.

What about communal living?

Crossroads is a communal living space. That means that you share the house with other women and their children. You almost always have your own room, which you share with your children. We make our meals together and eat together. The living room is shared space, and light housekeeping duties are also shared responsibility.

What if I'm not in a crisis but I feel my relationship is not positive at all?

Call us - we're here to listen!