For women

I need somewhere to go

If staying at home is no longer safe, or if you need to put some distance between you, the Pad8ban Home can take you in, along with your children.

When you arrive, our first concern will be simple: that you are safe and that your basic needs are taken care of.

You’ll have a space for you and your children, and you can take the time to breathe. A support worker can then walk alongside you, based on your needs and the steps you want to take.

You don’t need to arrive with everything you need. And you don’t need to have a plan for what comes next.

I want help, but not necessarily a place to stay

You don’t have to live at the Pad8ban Home to get support.

You can contact us to talk about what you’re going through, ask your questions, think through your safety, or get support with certain steps.

Maybe you’re not ready to leave. Maybe you don’t want to leave. Maybe you live far from the Pad8ban Home. Or maybe you just want to talk to someone before deciding anything.

We can start there.

During your stay, we're here to…

Depending on your situation and what you want, we can support you to:

take the time to talk about what you’re going through;
think through your safety and your children’s safety;
better understand violence and its effects;
go through certain steps with you;
help you find the resources you need;
gently prepare for what comes next;
or simply give you a chance to catch your breath.

Nothing is done in your place.

You stay at the centre of the decisions that concern you. Our role is to inform you, walk alongside you and support you in the choices you make for yourself and your children.

Support that respects who you are

The Pad8ban Home is rooted in culture while being open to Indigenous women of all Nations.

Your story, your culture and your connections belong to you.

We want to offer you support where you can feel welcome and respected for who you are, without having to leave any part of yourself at the door.

Frequently asked questions

Have questions? That’s completely normal

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.

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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. 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.

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.