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Reaching out to a shelter can raise a lot of questions, especially when you don’t yet know exactly what you want to do.
Here are some answers to help you know what to expect. And if your question isn’t here, just contact us. A question is never a bother.
Yes. You don’t need to be sure that what you’re living through is violence to contact us.
You can simply tell us what’s happening, ask your questions or talk about what worries you. A support worker will take the time to listen and think it through with you, without judgment and without pressure.
You don’t have to make any decision before calling us.
No.
You can contact us even if you don’t want to leave your partner, if you’re unsure, or if you simply don’t know yet what you want to do.
Asking for help or talking to a support worker doesn’t commit you to anything. We’re here to support you wherever you are today.
Yes. Staying at the Pad8ban Home isn’t the only way to get support from us.
You can contact us to talk about what you’re going through, ask questions, think through your safety or get support with certain steps.
We can start with a simple conversation.
Yes. The Pad8ban Home welcomes and supports Indigenous women from many different communities and Nations.
Distance shouldn’t stop you from calling us. We can look at your situation, your needs and the options open to you together.
Every situation is different, and your stay will be adapted to your needs.
The Pad8ban Home first offers emergency shelter and services for up to three months. If you need more time to prepare for what comes next, second-stage housing can then be offered to support you toward life after the Pad8ban Home.
In all, a stay can last up to 12 months.
The goal isn’t to ask you to sort everything out quickly. We want you to be able to move forward at a pace that takes your reality, and your children’s, into account.
No. Shelter, meals and services at the Pad8ban Home are completely free.
You don’t have to pay anything to get help or to stay with your children.
Some personal expenses remain your responsibility if you want to buy specific items the Pad8ban Home doesn’t provide, such as certain clothing, medication, personal care products or special foods.
Money should never be a barrier to asking for help.
Call us anyway.
Depending on your situation and your home community, different options can be explored with you. A support worker from your community, a partner organization, a police service or emergency transportation may be involved, among others.
There are also various kinds of financial assistance for situations of intimate partner or family violence, including for First Nations members.
We’ll work out with you the safest way to get to us.
Yes. If you arrive with your vehicle, a safe place is set aside so it can be left without compromising your safety or the safety of the other women staying here.
When you arrive, the team can explain the steps to take with your vehicle and with any devices or features that could be used to track your movements.
If you can do so without putting yourself in danger, bring the things that matter for you and your children: medication, ID, clothing and other essential personal belongings.
But you don’t need to have packed your bags to come to the Pad8ban Home.
If you have to leave quickly, leave. Things can wait.
We’ll make sure your basic needs are met when you arrive. Afterwards, we can look with you at how to safely recover some belongings, or replace them when possible.
Yes.
Your safety and your children’s safety come before clothes, papers or belongings left behind.
If you have to leave without your personal belongings, the Pad8ban Home can meet your basic needs when you arrive. When the situation allows, we’ll look with you at ways to safely recover some belongings or to replace them.
Never delay getting to safety to collect belongings.
When you arrive, our priority will be to make sure that you and your children are safe and that your immediate needs are taken care of.
You’ll be able to discover the space, settle in and catch your breath a little.
You won’t have to tell us everything or sort everything out as soon as you arrive.
We’ll then take the time to get to know you and to see, at your pace, how we can support you.
Yes. The Pad8ban Home’s address is not published, to help keep the women and children who stay here safe.
If a stay is planned with you, the team will explain how to get to the Pad8ban Home safely.
Unfortunately, your pet can’t stay at the Pad8ban Home itself, but that doesn’t mean you have to choose between your safety and your animal.
When possible, we’ll work with community members to find someone who can care for your pet during your stay.
You’ll be able to stay in touch with your pet and, depending on what’s possible and on the safety measures in place, visit them or have them visit you at certain times.
Yes. Our goal is to keep the family together.
The Pad8ban Home welcomes children who come with their mother, whatever their number or gender.
In some particular situations, especially with older teenagers, the team will take the time to assess with you the best way to meet the needs and safety of the whole family.
Yes, in some situations.
From age 14, a young person can be admitted without a parent.
Since every situation is different, we invite you to contact the Pad8ban Home directly. A support worker can look at what’s possible with you and the best way to proceed.
We want their schooling to continue during their stay at the Pad8ban Home.
A teaching team is on site. With your consent, we will also try to work with their community of origin and the people involved in your child’s schooling so that, as far as possible, they can continue learning from where they left off.
The goal is to keep continuity in their education while respecting what they’re going through.
Non.
Our youth workers are there to support children on their path of rebuilding and healing, and that support respects their age, their needs and their pace.
For some children, talking can be part of the path. For others, playing, creating, moving or simply finding a more reassuring daily routine can be just as important.
You can bring your medication with you.
To keep it secure, medication is stored under lock and key in a dedicated space. You have your own locked space, and you keep the key yourself.
The team will explain how it works when you arrive.
Your conversations with the Pad8ban Home are confidential.
Yes, it’s possible, especially if someone has access to your device, your browsing history or some of your accounts.
The site has a Leave now button and a How do I clear my traces? page to help you browse more discreetly.