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:
Aboriginal Healing and Outreach Program
- Organization:
Native Women's Centre
- Location:
Hamilton, Ontario
- Target Group:
Women, Seniors, and Children.
- Contact Name:
Linda Ense, Executive Director
- Phone:
905-664-1114
- Email:
- Website:
Program Overview
- History:
The program began as a pilot project in 2008 as a "wrap around" intensive case management program. In May of 2010, the facility was purchased and the program became permanent.
Program Description
- Goals & Objectives:
To prevent homelessness and provide for the health and safety of women, seniors and children in the Hamilton area; to further develop, evolve and implement a unique and innovative Aboriginal specific model of outreach called the Aboriginal Healing and Outreach Program (AHOP).
- Traditional/Indigenous ways:
There is a strong cultural component which provides all clients with access to traditional ceremonies and Elders' counselling services.
- Components of program:
The program takes a holistic approach to health issues which seeks to support the mental, physical, spiritual and emotional needs of clients, and includes finding and securing treatment of concurrent disorders, trauma, addictions and mental health. It supports the Aboriginal community's capacity for homelessness planning, partnership development and service delivery. It also supports the development, implementation and evaluation of a coordinated youth service delivery initiative.
- Services/How they work:
Services are provided on site at the facility.
- Funding:
Funding 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 feedback and guidance on the vision of the program.
- Partners:
City of Hamilton; Niwahsah; Catholic 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 reintegrate into society though gaining employment, furthering education; and becoming more connected to traditional teachings.
- Achievements:
Being able to help women reintegrate into society upon release from correctional institutions is a success.
- Challenges:
Obtaining funding.
Things to Know to Replicate
- Replication Advice:
The program is considered replicable. The development of partnerships and relationships with various organizations to assist the women is what makes the program work.
- Resources:
Adequate funding, properly trained staff and facility space for the programming would be necessary to ensure the program's success.
- Date modified: