Offer confidential, non-judgmental advice and support for women, non-binary individuals, and their children experiencing gender-based violence and abuse.

Services include:

• compassionate one-on-one and group counselling
• emergency accommodation and transportation
• safety planning
• child and youth programming
• violence prevention programs and education
• second-stage housing
• transitional housing and support
• legal advice and support

Family Court Support Worker Program -- Facilitates a victim's understanding of and passage through the family court system. Support provided includes:

• information on the family court process
• assistance in preparing for family court proceedings (documenting history of abuse, accessing Legal Aid)
• debriefing with clients following family court appearances
• referral to specialized services and supports in the community
• safety planning
• court accompaniment to proceedings when appropriate

Women do not have to stay at the shelter to access any of the free, confidential services. The goal is to provide safety, support and empowerment to vulnerable women, Two-spirit, gender queer, trans and non-binary individuals in the community.

Mental health, addictions and situational support. Mental health counsellors available to assist individuals in meeting non-emergency, non-medical urgent needs for problem solving, goal setting. Linking to appropriate community supports and bridging to longer term resources. Follow-up services provided as needed.

Work to improve the quality of life for individuals experiencing mental, emotional and addictions challenges through the delivery of services including information and referral, urgent support services, residential services, counselling services, employment services and justice services.

A walk-in counselling program offering quick access to therapy services for adults who may be experiencing high stress or emotional upset. This program enables individuals to see counsellors at their decided moment of need and reduces wait times. One session is often sufficient, however, walk-in counselling may be used more than once.

A prevention program for families with children of all ages who may be at risk for substance use problems, depression, violence, delinquency and school failure.

The Strengthening Families for the Future program is designed specifically to reduce risk factors, build individual resilience and enhance family protective factors. These strategies help prevent children from developing problems with alcohol, other drugs or mental health concerns.

Strengthening Families is a powerful family change program because it involves the members of the family. The goals of the program are to

• reduce children's or adolescents intention to use drugs and alcohol as well as to reduce behavior problems
• increase children's resilience and life skills which include communicating, resisting peer pressure, recognizing their feelings and solving problems
• increase positive and effective parenting skills
• improve family communication

This program is run in the communities of St Catharines, Welland, Niagara Falls and Fort Erie. Dinner is provided at all sites

Provides transitional housing, and assists with setting goals that will lead to more independence, including:

• skills development
• support
• self esteem improvement
• advocacy, and
• referrals to other programs and services that might be of benefit

Clients may stay in On-Site housing for up to a year

A walk-in service where you can find legal and non-legal information about separation and divorce and related family law issues, family justice services, alternative forms of dispute resolution, local community resources and court processes. The program is run cooperatively between the Ministry of the Attorney General, Legal Aid Ontario and AXIS Family Mediation.

Individuals can speak with a court customer service representative, an advice lawyer (for those not in court that day), and an Information and Referral Coordinator (IRC). Each of which are available at designated times to help you understand your family court/family law related needs and to make further referrals to appropriate services.

Services are available remotely. Clients in need of Mediation, Family Law Information, Legal Advice and the Mandatory Information Program can leave a voicemail at 289-241-9099 and FLIC staff will return their call ASAP. Clients can also email [email protected].

Provides information and assistance to support participation in and understanding of the criminal court process

• services begin once police have laid charges and continue until the court case is over
• Information about victims' rights, the criminal justice process and their specific case (e.g., court dates)
• needs assessment and referrals to community agencies
• crisis intervention, emotional support, victim advocacy
• facilitates victim's input and liaises with Crown Attorneys, police, regarding bail, safety, resolution of charges, release conditions, publication bans, testimonial aids, trial preparation and court orientation
• information and support on Victim Impact Statements, Statement on Restitution
• facilitates access to court orders, such as bail conditions, probation orders, peace bonds
• debriefing and follow-up support

Vulnerable Victims and Family Fund -- financial and court-based supports to enable victims of crime and families of homicide victims to attend court

• travel arrangements and expenses
• language interpretation
• real-time captioning or other equipment for victims with disabilities

A Supported Transitional Housing Program. Housing sites available in St Catharines, Niagara Falls, Welland/Fort Erie and West Niagara

Individual and parent-child counselling program for mothers and their children who have experienced woman abuse in their families. Individualized program where the work is done with moms, children and a counsellor in a private setting. Also provides safety planning and referrals to other services when appropriate.

A 10 week simultaneous support group program for children and their mothers who have experienced woman abuse in their families. Groups are offered throughout the region.

COVID-19: Provides child protection services 24/7. Program delivery may be altered to respect safety protocols. The Family Counselling Centre provides virtual counselling sessions, with limited in-person opportunities.

A multi-service regional agency offering programs and services to support children, youth, families and adults. Mandated by the Child and Family Services Act to respond to any concerns regarding the possible abuse or neglect of children through investigation, protection, prevention and treatment programs for children and their families

Provide a variety of community programs such as:

• Adoption Services
• Foster Care Services
• Family Counselling Centre
• Child Care Programs

A low fee counselling ministry, providing aid for individuals experiencing life crises, including marriage and family breakdown, depression, grief, anger, co-dependency, unplanned pregnancy, parenting and post-abortion trauma. Group and individual programs are offered. The Centre does not discriminate in any way, and all services are confidential.

Serves anyone reporting to an emergency department in the Niagara Region.

Provides 24 hour emergency medical care and crisis intervention to all individuals (male and female) who have been sexually assaulted or victims of domestic violence within the last 12 days. Services are provided through a specialized team sensitive to the needs of survivors. Options of care include emotional support, prophylactic treatment of sexually transmitted diseases, HIV post exposure prophylaxis, pregnancy prevention, and the collection of forensic evidence to assist in the legal process. Victims of domestic violence have options of medical treatment, documentation of injuries, safety planning and police involvement.

For emergency treatment, go to any emergency department in the Niagara Region. The Sexual Assault/Domestic Violence Treatment Program nurse will be paged.

Counselling Program: Offers short-term trauma counselling to recent victims (within 2 years of the assault/abuse) of sexual violence or intimate partner violence to individuals 16 years of age and older. A social worker is available to answer questions and/or determine eligibility for counselling services every Wednesday morning between 9 am-12 noon. Call for information.

Distress Line Program

• Provides a free, confidential, 24-hour telephone distress line available 24/7/365.
• uses trained volunteers
• assist callers to solve their own problems
• information and referrals
• intervene in life-threatening situations
• extensive pre-service training programs for distress line
• suicide prevention and intervention workshops
• communication skills training

Text and Chat Program

• provides emotional support, crisis and suicide intervention through text or instant message for those individual who many not want to receive support face to face or speak over the phone.
• provides a free, confidential 12-hour online and text support between the hours of 2pm and 2am EST
• uses trained volunteers
• assist callers to solve their own problems
• information and referrals
• intervene in life-threatening situations
• extensive pre-service training programs for distress line
• suicide prevention and intervention workshops
• communication skills training

A walk-in clinic providing immediate counselling and advice to children, parents and caregivers. Video counselling appointments are also available by appointment.

A walk-in clinic providing immediate counselling and advice to children, parents and caregivers. Video counselling appointments are also available by appointment.

Family-focused counselling incorporating individual, group and family therapy assist children, youth and their families with behavioural, emotional, and learning problems. Treatment areas include Conduct Disorder, Oppositional Defiant Disorder, Anxiety Disorders such as Phobias and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, psychiatric disorders, sexualized behaviour and victims of sexual abuse. Parents are encouraged to set goals for change and to participate in planning the intervention. Consultation may include work with schools and other community agencies.

COVID-19: Continuing to use methods other than face to face sessions to provide mental health services to children, youth and their families. Crisis and Support Line remains open 24/7.

A mobile crisis intervention service providing immediate telephone counselling and, if necessary, on-site crisis intervention in the home, school, or other community location. Counsellors have access to psychiatric and psychologist consultation.

Crisis staff are able to go out to a crisis situation after information is collected over the phone and an on-site intervention is assessed as appropriate. For safety reasons, Crisis services will not go into violent situations where there is risk of client or staff harm. These situations require police involvement. If appropriate, intervention can occur after the violence has de-escalated in order to prevent an intensification of the crisis.

Services include: Crisis counselling, family support, referrals to resources, advocacy, community information, workshops (see Coping With Stress in the Family), access to psychiatric consultation, and crisis bed.

Arson Prevention Program for Children (TAPP-C): This program has been highly successful in preventing further incidents in young people with fire-setting behaviours.

Sexualized Treatment Out-Patient Program (STOP): A mental health treatment based program for children/youth over the age of twelve who are exhibiting sexual behaviour problems or have been charged with a sexual offence.

In a separate treatment program, STOP also treats children and youth who have been victims of sexual assault/abuse.

High Risk Suicidal and High Risk of Violence: A program for youth that have been identified as being at an elevated risk to harm themselves or others. Often these youth are identified and referred to Pathstone by community partners including police, schools, hospitals, or child welfare. These youth are provided intensive individualized service designed to reduce the imminent risk they pose to themselves or others. Once risk has been reduced the youth is referred to a more appropriate and less intense service or program.

Provides crisis intervention and traditional support services to those who are at risk or are currently experiencing family violence and/or crisis in their lives. These services are available on a one-to-one basis or in a group setting where action plans are developed to help meet short-term and long-term goals of participants. Offers supportive peer counselling, referrals to community agencies, healing/talking circles, cultural events and other forms of support from an Aboriginal perspective.

A walk-in clinic providing immediate counselling and advice to children, parents and caregivers. Video counselling appointments are also available by appointment.

Open to all who may need additional support in their lives. Supports include, peer counseling, advocacy, connecting to culture, holistic mental, spiritual, physical and social needs, mental wellness support, crisis support, connection to resources, and parenting support.

A walk-in counselling program offering quick access to therapy services for adults who may be experiencing high stress or emotional upset. This program enables individuals to see counsellors at their decided moment of need and reduces wait times. One session is often sufficient, however, walk-in counselling may be used more than once.