Client-centred Services

As referenced on page 8, FTP shelter staff worked really hard throughout the pandemic and construction to ensure the safety of our clients.

Our first priority is the safety of the women and children we serve and our staff. Despite the challenges of the pandemic, we were able to develop and grow our programs and services to meet the needs of our clients. Here are just a few examples.

Staying connected with clients was priority. In addition to offering all counselling services virtually, we also developed regular virtual meetings for shelter clients who were interested, such as: Food for Thought

FTP’s Inclusive, Diverse, Equitable, Accessible Committee (IDEA) provided staff with the opportunity to participate in virtual diversity training to continue our important work towards a fair and inclusive environment for staff and everyone we serve.

With the development of the independent shelter units, we now permit alcohol and legal drugs in client units. There are also two harm reduction cabinets on-site, providing clients safe and effective resources for harm reduction (e.g., condoms, Naloxone kits, clean needles, sterile water and harm reduction information).

FTP now has a mobile crisis counsellor. This staff person works together with a group of community agencies as part of the Community Crisis Integrated Team (CCIT). Their goal is to provide an integrated hospital and community crisis response program that will improve an individual’s experience of access, equity and foster reduced stigma.

client-centred services

Our first priority is the safety of the women and children we serve and our staff. Despite the challenges of the pandemic, we were able to develop and grow our programs and services to meet the needs of our clients. Here are just a few examples.

Staying connected with clients was priority. In addition to offering all counselling services virtually, we also developed regular virtual meetings for shelter clients who were Food for Thought.

Hillary 1994-2017

The Dufferin-Caledon Drug Strategy Committee—a community group composed of like-minded agencies—developed an Anti-Stigma campaign, which was launched on August 31st in recognition of International Overdose Awareness Day. The campaign honours local community members who lost their lives to substance overdose and aims to break down the stigmas that continute to exist.

Counsellors in our Rural Response Program developed a partnership with White Owl Native Ancestry Association to offer virtual creative workshops based on Indigenous wholistic practices to encourage self-acceptance, selfexpression and understanding.

Reliable and affordable transportation has always been a need for our clients, and work began to develop a strong partnership with The Shelburne Transporter, ensuring safe and dependable transportation solutions for clients.

FTP was awarded significant funding through the provincial government to expand its sexual violence programming. This funding is in addition to our partnership with DCAFS and the Headwaters Health Care Centre to provide comprehensive sexual violence support in this community.