ella’s place second stage program
Creating a Life Free From Violence
Second stage programs are safe, affordable, transitional housing for women (cis, trans), and non-binary survivors of domestic and intimate partner violence. Because the program is shorter-term, services are available to women and children in need of additional time and support to heal from their trauma, who are facing barriers in finding permanent housing, and who may be at high risk of danger after separation. In addition to providing safety, we help women rebuild their lives, develop resiliency, and move towards living violence-free lives.
Ella’s Place Program provides more than a temporary, safe home and protection for survivors who are at a heightened risk of violence. We help women to develop a new community. In so doing, there is a broad range of services available for women for up to 2 years:
1) Staffing:
Support staff daily 7:15am-11pm.
Family Support Worker (FSW)
Coordinator of Ella’s Place
Manager of Women’s Transitional Housing programs
‘Ksan’s Housing Manager (Landlord) is on site weekly to support with housing/maintenance/rent.
On-site staff can provide emotional support, advocacy, safety planning, assistance to plan and apply for long-term housing, resources, child and family support, referrals to counselling and support services, assistance in accessing income assistance, money management, food programs, and more as needed.
3) In coordination with ‘Ksan’s other wrap around supports, we can advocate for women and their children in navigating legal systems, court accompaniment, immigration services, social services, child protection services, health care, and more. We may provide child-specific programming, safety planning, parenting classes, outreach services, and prevention and awareness programming.
4) All program participants meet weekly, in-person, with a designated Ella’s Place staff member. This is recorded in an individualized support plan.
5) Life skills check-ins become part of the support plan and are arranged between the program participant and the Ella’s coordinator to meet individual needs.
6) Regular apartment inspections are conducted as part of life skills supports. As well, these inspections serve to meet our housing departments regular maintenance and obligations under our contracts with the funders.
7) Wellness checks are conducted as needed and may be a part of the support plan.
8) Women’s groups may be provided in the Gathering Space, a common room on the main floor.
9) After school programs may be available.
10) Continued program participation is reviewed every six months and as needed.
11) Each apartment is equipped with living room furniture, a TV in the living room, table and chairs, kitchen, bathroom, and bedroom essentials.
12) There is limited space for storage of any large, personal items.
13) Laundry is available on each floor and at no cost to program participants.
14) Program participants are responsible for the upkeep of their own apartment, and for the purchase of their own food and consumables.
15) Rent is Shelter rate with MSDPR or 30% of your income. Utilities are included in the rent.
16) Visitors: for the ongoing safety of all program participants, all visitors are required to sign in and out when they visit and show identification. Support staff keep track of visitor stays.
No visitors are allowed after 11pm.
Overnight guests are allowed under certain circumstances.
17) Uninvited visitors are not allowed on the property or in the building. We update this list upon move in and as needed. This list includes:
All men (fathers, brothers, sons may be permitted on the property only)
Abusive family members including abusive ex-partners.
Current intimate partners
18) Pets may be permitted if you already have one. A pet agreement will be completed with the Housing Manager.
If you are interested in the safety and support that this program can provide, please choose the submit button to provide your name and best way to contact you. Your information will be sent to the Ella’s team, and someone will reach out to set up an in-person appointment to review the program and complete an application.
We use the name “Ella’s Place” to denote that all women (cis/trans), gender diverse, and non-binary folks can benefit from this supportive program. The name or word is represented in many cultures and languages, always relating to the feminine, and to empowerment and rootedness. We empower and embrace people’s layered identities and honour their stories, putting their voices at the center of our programming to support them in developing their own authentic sense of strength and stability.
