Family Violence Initiative
COMPENDIUM OF PROMISING PRACTICES TO REDUCE VIOLENCE AND INCREASE SAFETY OF ABORIGINAL WOMEN IN CANADA – COMPENDIUM ANNEX: DETAILED PRACTICE DESCRIPTIONS
INTERACTIONS WITHIN COMMUNITIES
Healthy Relationships: Women
- Program name:
Honouring the Circle
- Organization:
Native Women's Centre
- Location:
Hamilton, Ontario
- Target Group:
Women and Children.
- Contact Name:
Linda Ense, Executive Director
- Phone:
905-664-1114
- Email:
- Website:
Program Overview
- History:
The building was purchased in May of 2011. Services have been ongoing since that time.
Program Description
- Goals & Objectives:
To offer a place of healing where women and their children are given an empowering, safe and stable environment that will provide guidance and strength as they travel on their healing path.
- Traditional/Indigenous ways:
Cultural teachings are provided by Elders from various Nations and there is access to traditional ceremonies to help facilitate the learning and healing processes.
- Components of program:
The program strives to provide women and children with a positive sense of identity and self, through life skills workshops and holistic healing practices which incorporate spiritual, emotional, mental and physical service modalities including traditional cultural practices. It also provides public education and awareness programs for the larger community by building a much needed bridge to learn, share and celebrate the value, beauty and strength of Aboriginal cultures; as well as enhanced transitional support services including individual, group and crisis counseling.
- Services/How they work:
Services are provided on site at the facility.
- Funding:
Funding is provided by the Department of Human Resources and Skills Development Canada's Homelessness Partnership Strategy.
Relationships and Stakeholders
- Involvement of Target Groups:
Board members of the Native Women's Centre and Elders provide guidance for the vision and direction of the facility.
- Partners:
City of Hamilton; Niwahsah; Catholic Children's Aid Society; Children's Aid Society; the School Board; and the Police.
- Other relationships:
N/A
Details of Program Evaluation
- Evaluation:
No evaluation has been completed.
- Highlights of Evaluation Findings:
N/A
Program Outcomes
- Measures of Success:
Success is measured by how well the clients integrate into society though gaining employment, furthering education; and becoming more connected to traditional teachings.
- Achievements:
The clients of the program as well as the program staff come to see and treat each other as family.
- Challenges:
Obtaining funding.
Things to Know to Replicate
- Replication Advice:
The program is considered replicable. No advice given.
- Resources:
Adequate funding, properly trained staff and facility space for the programming would be necessary to ensure the program's success.
- Date modified: