First Francophone Women's Shelter for Toronto

Written by Press Release Wednesday, 17 February 2010 10:50

La Maison d'hébergement francophone de Toronto will construct a new 20-bed shelter, which will be the first in Toronto for francophone women and their children fleeing domestic violence. This new accessible shelter will give francophone women and their children an opportunity to rebuild their lives, free of violence, through support from a variety of services provided in their own language.

"Francophone women in Toronto have been expecting this shelter for a long time. All women who have lived through episodes of violence can testify to this," says Julie Lassonde, Board Chair, La Maison d'hébergement francophone de Toronto. "The healing process can only take place in one's own language. We will now have a better resource, adapted to our needs and that will help us eliminate violence against women."

The province is investing $5.2 million to support construction of the new shelter. These funds are part of a $50-million province-wide investment in nearly 1,000 infrastructure projects. The projects will improve facilities at social service agencies, and create an estimated 450 jobs throughout Ontario.

"Making the decision to leave an abusive situation takes courage. By providing shelter and counselling to women in their own language and cultural context, we can make that decision an easier one for them to make," Madeleine Meilleur, Ontario Minister of Community and Social Services, said.