WOMEN'S CRISIS SERVICES OF WATERLOO REGION

Women's Crisis Services operates two emergency shelters for abused women and their children: Haven House in Cambridge and Anselma House in Kitchener plus a regional Outreach program.

Our History

Women's Crisis Services is a long standing not-for-profit charitable organization. The histories of both Haven House and Anselma House in Waterloo Region date back to 1978.

Haven House

Began in 1978 in a house on Water Street in Cambridge; it was called the Rotary Family Centre. In 1981, along with the move to Argyle Street, the name changed to Family Crisis Shelter. In 1991, a new 11 bed shelter was built at 562 Concession Rd. in Cambridge. In 1998 the name changed once again to Women's Crisis Services of Cambridge and North Dumfries. In 2002 the Concession Road location was expanded to 30 beds.

Anselma House

Began in 1978 in a house on Duke Street in Kitchener; it was called Anselma House and retains this name today. The demand increased and a new 20 bed shelter was built in 1989 on Ann Street in Kitchener. In 2011 a new 45 bed shelter was built on Heritage Drive in Kitchener.

Up until 2001 Haven House and Anselma House operated as two separate organizations. In 2001 Haven House and Anselma House merged to form Women's Crisis Services of Waterloo Region. At that time, the Board of Directors merged and one Executive Director was assigned to manage both facilities.

In 2007, Women's Crisis Services adapted the Dragonfly as its corporate logo along with the tag line Moving Beyond Violence. Fittingly and according to Carter Revard, The Dragonfly lifts us up and encourages us to believe that human courage and ingenuity may keep alive our finest human values.

In 2011, the agency's Bylaws were updated and the Executive Director title was changed to Chief Executive Officer.

Our statistics for the 2011-2012 fiscal year are:

Shelter:
• 205 women and children (112 women; 93 children) were provided with emergency shelter at Haven House: providing 10,035 days of residential care.
• 291 women and children (163 women; 128 children) were provided with emergency shelter at Anselma House: providing 12, 255 days of residentail care.
• 496 women and children sought emergency shelter at both Anselma House and Haven House.

Crisis Calls:
• 979 were received at Haven House
• 1090 were received at Anselma House
• 2069 crisis calls were received at both Anselma House and Haven House.

Outreach:
• 975 women were served regionally through the Outreach program.