In 1977, a group of concerned citizens in Kitchener-Waterloo gathered together to discuss what they could do to help women who were being brutally abused in their homes. They often offered the safety of their own homes to women and children fleeing abusive partners, in many cases putting themselves and their own families at grave risk.

In 1978 a house was rented from the City of Kitchener on Duke Street as a shelter for abused women and their children. Volunteers painted walls and repaired floors; donated beds and furniture were brought in. Soon after, the house next door was rented to offer more space for more women. The volunteers supported the women and children, brought in food and personal necessities and did whatever they could to help. Once it was known that there was a safe place, women from all over started calling....

Also in 1977, a concerned citizen by the name of Donna Barfoot, conducted a survey in Cambridge of community resources available to people needing a refuge due to alcohol related problems in the home. She discovered that no service was available, but did find a number of other interested citizens. Together these concerned citizens approached the Social Planning Council in Kitchener, a committee was formed and a plan was developed to create a shelter, which provided food and moral support to families experiencing crisis. On April 1st, 1978 the Cambridge Rotary Family Centre opened its doors on Water St. in Galt. It was an emergency shelter for victims of domestic violence, both men and women, and their children. Occupancy rates were high even in those days. A purchase of service agreement was made with the Region's Social Services Division to provide for the per diem cost of women and children staying at the house.

This agency has gone through many changes since its conception. In 1981, the name was changed to Family Crisis Shelter and was moved to a house on Argyle St. in Preston. In 1991, the agency moved to its present location. In 1998, the name was changed to Women's Crisis Services to better reflect the services now offered by the agency. "Haven House" was first adopted as the name of the residential program, and in 2000, we adopted this name as the "use" name with Women's Crisis Services of Cambridge and North Dumfries as our legal name.

At the June 18, 2001 Annual General Meetings of both Anselma House and Haven House, the membership voted to go forward with procedures to amalgamate the 2 shelters into one organization - Women's Crisis Services of Waterloo Region.

This organization has one Board of Directors and one Management Team, headed by Mary Zilney, Executive Director. This exciting move will help us to offer more and consistent service across the entire region.

Today Anselma House is a 20-bed residence and, thanks to additional funding from the Ministry of Community and Social Services, Haven House has added 19 beds to bring the total to 30 beds at that location. Both shelters are most often operating over capacity. We answer over 6000 crisis calls a year. Both our residential and outreach programs are designed to give women and their children the support and information they need to heal from the violence they have experienced. Countless women have said their lives and the lives of their children have been changed through their experience at Anselma House and Haven House.

The Staff and Board of Directors of Women's Crisis Services of Waterloo Region are committed to providing a safe and supportive environment for physically, sexually and emotionally abused women and their children. We believe the design and provision of direct and indirect service programs will effect change for a better society. Our global vision for the future is a society where violence is eradicated and there ceases to be a need for shelters to protect women and children from violence.

Until this happens, we will continue to rely on the support of our community partners, both individuals and groups, who have helped us, over the last many years, to expand the services which we offer to all who come to our doors in times of need.

We welcome you to our website and invite you to visit the various pages to learn more about Women's Crisis Services of Waterloo Region, the issues of abuse, services we offer, fundraising events and how you can help in our efforts to support and inform women and children to "Move Beyond Violence".