1977
Eight women volunteers staff a rape crisis line at the University of Guelph.
1980
Guelph-Wellington Women in Crisis moves to a small bungalow with room for 6 women and children. Later in the same year, G-W Women in Crisis moves to a two-storey house with room for 12 women and children to stay at one time.
1982
The Sexual Assault Committee forms.
G-W Women in Crisis receives a $9000 federal grant for a summer project to promote public education about woman abuse.
1984
The 7-bedroom house that will become the new G-W Women in Crisis shelter is purchased with financial assistance from Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation.
1986
Rural Women’s Shelter Program begins operation in Erin.
Marianne’s Place is expanded from 12 to 18 beds.
1987
Rural Women’s Shelter Program in Fergus begins operation.
G-W Women in Crisis organizes the first “Take Back the Night” march.
The Sexual Assault Committee becomes the Sexual Assault Centre.
1988
Rural Women’s Shelter Program opens an office in Arthur.
1989
G-W Women in Crisis launches its first facilitated groups for women and teens experiencing sexual assault, incest and/or abuse.
Family Violence Prevention Month is declared in Guelph.
1990
Say No to Violence Program launches in the Fergus area.
1991
The agency begins work on the Safe City Campaign, focused on the implementation of municipal strategies for preventing violence against women and children.
1992
Women in Crisis hosts the Federal Panel on Violence Against Women and Children.
On January 21, 1992, Marianne Goulden is murdered. A private memorial service for WIC staff is held on June 28, 1992.
The shelter moves to a brand-new facility, which is named Marianne’s Place.
Rural Women’s Shelter Program begins in Rockwood.
1993
Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Care and Treatment Centre at Guelph General Hospital opens.
Grandview 24-hour, Canada-wide crisis line becomes operational.
Marianne’s Park is opened and dedicated to Marianne Goulden on December 6, 1993.
1994
Sexual Assault Centre offers the first support group for lesbians who are survivors of childhood sexual abuse.
1996
First Fundraising Auction takes place.
1998
Sexual Assault Centre celebrates its 20th anniversary.
2000
Transitional and Housing Support Program begins.
2001
First Collective Agreement with CUPE Local 4393 signed.
Drayton office of Rural Women’s Support Program moves to Palmerston.
2003
Action Committee on Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence, chaired by G-W Women in Crisis, receives funding from the Ministry of the Attorney General to develop a community protocol on domestic violence.
2004
Transitional and Housing Support Program receives increased funding to focus on supporting women to maintain housing.
2006
Community Response Protocol for Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence is signed by community partners December 6, 2005 and launched on January 18, 2006.
2007
G-W Women in Crisis celebrates its 30th anniversary.
2008
G-W Women in Crisis Administration purchases 38 Elizabeth Street, thanks to funding received from the Ministry of Community and Social Services (MCSS).
Rural Women’s Support Program opens new office in Fergus.
2009
Expansion of 38 Elizabeth Street completed. Transitional and Housing Support Program and Sexual Assault Centre move in.
Open House for 38 Elizabeth on November 24, 2009 welcomes the community to G-W Women in Crisis.
2010
G-W Women in Crisis receives the Attorney General’s “Victim Service Award of Distinction.”
Executive Director Sly Castaldi receives the “Women of Distinction” award in the category of Public Service for her work with Women in Crisis.
2011
Rural Women’s Support Program (RWSP) celebrates 25 years in the community.
WIC receives funding to begin the Family Court Support Program.
2012
Guelph-Wellington Women in Crisis celebrates 35 years of service.
Liz Sandals presents Executive Director Sly Castaldi with a Diamond Jubilee medal for her exceptional contribution to the province and country.
2014
25th Anniversary of the December 6th Montreal Massacre.
2015
Canada’s government launches a national inquiry into the murder or disappearance of hundreds of Indigenous women and girls, a promise of “total renewal” of the country’s relationship with its Indigenous population by Prime Minister Trudeau.
In March 2015, Ontario Premiere Kathleen Wynne releases a new action plan to stop sexual violence and harassment called, “It’s Never Okay: An Action Plan to Stop Sexual Violence and Harassment.1” Through this action plan, the government aims to establish an “Ontario where everyone lives in safety and is free from the threat, fear or experience of sexual violence and harassment.”
Ontario’s Roundtable on Violence Against Women, the first permanent government roundtable of its kind, holds its inaugural meeting on March 31, 2015 to begin advising the government on emerging issues of gendered violence. The roundtable is co-chaired by Sly Castaldi and Farrah Khan.
At Guelph-Wellington Women in Crisis, Premier Kathleen Wynne announces increased funding for all community-based sexual assault centres across Ontario—which now totals $14.8 million per year—to improve the free and confidential services they provide to survivors of sexual violence.
2017
Guelph-Wellington Women in Crisis honours its 40th anniversary.
Anti-Human Trafficking Program begins.
2022
Guelph-Wellington Women in Crisis marks 45th anniversary.