Marianne’s Place is an accessible emergency shelter that provides temporary housing for those experiencing gender-based violence. We welcome all women and their children who are experiencing relationship violence (physical, sexual, emotional, verbal, financial abuse and/or stalking) and/or human trafficking.
All our services are free and interpreters can be arranged when necessary and available. You can access the shelter by calling our 24-hour Crisis Line at 519-836-5710 or, for long distance, 1-800-265-7233 for immediate and confidential support.
Our Services:
- Immediate telephone support and information through the 24-hour Crisis Line
- Risk assessment and safety planning for you and your children
- One-to-one counselling and support
- Group counselling
- Accompaniment, advocacy and referrals to police, court, hospital, lawyers, social services and community agencies
- Help with custody and child support issues
- Referrals for two hours of free legal consultation
- Help with immigration services
- Help with finding a new place to live
- Help with getting financial support
- Help with Victim Services, victim impact statements and court preparation
- Social and educational activities for you and your children
Please call us anytime. We are here for you!
Your Stay
What to bring
If you can, bring what you use every day:
- An extra set of keys for the apartment or house and vehicle
- Money for transportation/ bus pass
- Identification papers (or copies): passport, social insurance card, birth certificates, immigration papers, citizenship card, aboriginal status card, driver’s licence and registration, health cards and children’s immunization records for yourself and your children
- Divorce and custody papers
- Restraining orders, peace bonds, any other court orders
- Bank books, cheque book, credit cards, mortgage or loan papers (or copies)
- Lease/rental agreement, property deed, business or partnership agreements, rent or mortgage payment receipts
- Address book
- Photograph of your abuser to help identify him/her
- Clothing for yourself and your children
- Shoes/boots
- Medications and health-related supplies/devices
- Cell phone/laptop/ tablet/gaming device
- Infant or car seat
- Favourite toy/blanket
- Personal care items/toiletries
- School/work supplies and backpacks
- A list of other items you can pick up later if necessary/possible
We cannot store large items (such as furniture and appliances).
Basic Needs
We provide shelter, food (including formula and baby food), basic toiletries and diapers, wipes, as needed. For any other supports that we cannot provide ourselves, we will connect you to community resources.
We have a staff person who prepares dinner meals for everyone staying at the shelter but you are free to prepare a meal on your own. We provide items for all meals and if you have dietary restrictions or cultural food needs, we will accommodate them as much as possible.
What you can do
While you are staying at the shelter you can continue with your regular activities such as school or work. You will need to spend time on finding a place to live and setting up supports and resources for when you leave.
About The Shelter
Rooms
Marianne’s Place has 28 beds. Families will be given designated rooms and singles will be given designated rooms when possible.
Accessibility
The shelter is accessible with two wheelchair accessible rooms, three wheelchair accessible bathrooms, two ramp ways, an elevator, alarm strobes and sensory alarm clocks. Service animals are welcome. When needed, support workers can be arranged to come in and assist you during your stay.
Communal living
Marianne’s Place is a communal living space and you will share all the facilities outside of your bedroom. We have a dining room, TV lounges, a laundry room and computers for all residents to use. For the children staying here, we have a number of play spaces.
Children at the shelter
Children are welcome at the shelter. Male children can stay at the shelter if they are 18 or younger (with exceptions). Care and supervision of children staying at the shelter is the responsibility of the parents. We offer daily programming, one-to-one counselling and support and we arrange social and educational activities. We strive to make their stay as fun as possible.
We can help you find a new school if necessary and arrange safe transportation to and from school.
Pets in Transition (PIT)
Pets in Transition is a collaboration between Community Veterinary Outreach (CVO), the Guelph Humane Society (GHS), Guelph-Wellington Women in Crisis (GWWIC) and other local vets and animal welfare organizations. We support women who have animals and are experiencing violence by offering pet safety planning, resources and referrals and temporary emergency foster placement and care for the pets of women staying in the shelter from domestic violence. All of our services are free of charge.
For more information please visit: http://guelphhumane.ca/get-involved/how-to-help/pets-in-transition/
