What We Do

Women often remain in abusive environments because they have no family support, financial means or housing.

As a transitional supportive housing facility, we offer a safe and supportive environment for abused women, with or without children.

Transitional Supportive Housing

Transitional housing is conceptualized as an intermediate step between emergency crisis shelter and permanent housing. It is a more long-term, service-intensive and private than emergency shelters. It is meant to provide a safe, supportive environment where residents can overcome trauma, begin to address the their trauma, and begin to rebuild their support network.

At Armagh, we provide:

Safe and affordable, temporary housing, for an extended period of time
Emotional support and ongoing counselling from on-site, qualified staff
Practical support, as well as accompaniment, for family/criminal court, including legal information, advocacy and resources
Transitional support for up to one year and sometimes beyond after the women leave Armagh and move into permanent housing
Group facilitation on issues such as, but not limited to, living independently, self-esteem, parenting as a single parent, budgeting and other educational programs
Our modern, self-sufficient furnished apartments can accommodate nine women and their children. Additional facilities for residents include laundry, a children’s play area, youth room and a computer room with internet access

How are women referred?

Women come to Armagh through referrals from an emergency shelter or from the Peel Children’s Aid Society Domestic Violence Team.

Programmes & Services

“It is really cool to see that the programs teach the children so many skills, but they have so much fun taking part in them too.”

“It’s crazy how something so simple, like a puzzle or a board game, can be so educational and so fun for the kids!”

“My kids are always buzzing with excitement when group is done. They love it so much!”

“My kids are already excited to see the puppies again! They loved being able to read to them and learn about how to take care of them.”

“The bullying presentation was awesome! I loved that the program taught them useful life skills while still being fun and interactive! Even I got to learn something from it. ”

“My kids really enjoy learning from you during homework help. I find that you help put things into different perspectives so they really understand it. It helps so much.”

“Letting each child have an opportunity to lead the group by reading out loud or sharing their experiences really empowers them and builds leadership. It’s awesome to see!”

“My kids are already asking me when the next campfire is going to be! They loved telling stories and learning new songs.”

“My kids always learn something new when they’re in program. They look forward to it every week!”

“When you made the homemade bouncy balls it was cool that not only were the kids getting crafty, but they were also learning some science too!”

“You always pick such fun, but still educational movies, I love it!”

“I think it’s great that my kids actually like this food… and its healthy!”

“Without study group, I know my kid would be struggling in school. It makes a huge difference having the program here to help teach them!”

“I love that the programs are always different and exciting each week. It really keeps the children engaged.”

“It’s so exciting when they share their work at the end of program. It really gives them something to be proud of. It helps build self-confidence and teaches them to take pride in their work!”

“I love that the movies they watch always teach them something too!”

“I will definitely be using this recipe for dinner at a later date!”

“I plan on framing those beautiful valentine’s crafts you made! They are truly something special!”

“I think it’s so special that they are so proud of their work when it is complete, no matter what they’ve made or how it turned out.”

“I love the recipes you teach the children, because they’re easy, cheap and healthy for them!”

Supportive counselling

Individual and group counselling
Safety plans
Budgeting
Life skills
Parenting/Active Parenting Now
Conflict resolution
Expressive Art Therapy
Emergency First Aid and CPR
Homework Assistance
Paws to Read
Tools for Life
Follow up support services for up to one year once the women move into the community

Healthy body, healthy mind

Understanding your emotions
How to channel your anger
How to help keep yourself less vulnerable
Emotions: What to do with them
Self-esteem
Yoga
Art Therapy
Self-Care
Stress Techniques/Reflexology

Referral, information and advocacy

Including but not limited to:

Income Assistance
Education Programmes
Counselling Services
Legal Aid Ontario
Parenting Support resources
Social and recreational programs for women and children

Armagh can help.

Testimonials

Hope

“Armagh assisted me in starting a school program to get myself back on my feet. Armagh gave me the confidence to move forward. Armagh was the only place that was open when every other door was shut.“

Transitional Home

“…who made this happen? Not my relatives, not my friends, not my doctor and not my spouse....These people were total strangers to me, but their commitment and patients means a lot to me. I'll thank them for the rest of my life.”

Thank You

“Without Armagh and staff I would not have learned the meaning of independent living and how to be free of violence.”

A Resident Speaks Out

“It seemed I had two equally unappealing options: make the marriage work and duck the punches or leave everything behind and run.“

Stepping Stone

“Having lived many years with a person who didn't really care for me or my feelings, Armagh made me feel secure with my son, at a time when I had literally no one to call my own in Canada.”

A Special Christmas

“ It wasn’t what was given to us that touched our hearts, but the overwhelming feeling to see how much time and work that was put into giving us women a Christmas…”

More Than A Shelter

“Life in Armagh was a feeling of security a feeling that I am not alone and that someone was there all the time when I felt I needed to talk my heart out. “

We Were Blessed

“Armagh was more grounded with a lot of support and programs for the kids and they put my boys in summer camp…”

Rebirth

“Before I came here I didn’t see any reason for living. So many workers at other shelters would work with me but I would never open my heart to them.”

Resident Art

I Feel…

Finally Living

“I felt at ease and loved the whole idea behind this establishment, how they rebuild your self esteem before send you back to the world again, how they really genuinely care about the women and understand how it's sensitive to those women to find the support first and hold their hand step by step until they feel ready to go their paths”

Moving to Armagh

“When I moved in, the arms of the staff at Armagh were wide open and welcoming. The staff taught me and helped me cope with what I was going through.”

Student Support Staff

“My experience at Armagh was nothing short of exceptional. Every day I was happy to come in knowing that I was making a positive impact, and being a good role model for the children residing there.”

Becoming Independent

“The biggest change in me is that I now believe in myself and no one can take that away from me. “

Rebuilding Lives

“…had I not had the opportunity to stay at Armagh I would have gone back to the abusive relationship.”

A Grateful Resident

“Armagh staff supported me 100%. They both helped me to see that I was putting domestic violence in the past. That I was choosing a violence free-future and that I had a right to choose safety for myself and my other children.”

I Broke the Cycle

“I was alone, depressed, scared, broken, and most of all unsure of what the future held for my children and myself…”

What We Do

Transitional Supportive Housing

At Armagh, we provide:

How are women referred?

Supportive counselling

Healthy body, healthy mind

Referral, information and advocacy

Armagh can help.

Did you know…

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Armagh

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