Family Transition Place commemorates 30 years – Much has changed over the past 30 years, but the reason for our being in existence has not. This year marks the 30th anniversary of Family Transition Place (FTP). In 1985, when FTP was first established, the shelter movement in Canada was still in its infancy. The movement had only started a decade or two earlier during the late 1960’s and ‘70’s, when, even more so than today, Domestic Violence was considered a “private matter”, best kept hidden behind the heavy curtains of a marriage. This attitude often left women stuck in dangerous and intolerable situations with literally no place to go. In our community, the need for a shelter was identified first by women working in the social services. These social workers, when going into clients’ homes, were seeing firsthand the effects of domestic violence on women and on children. A group of community women with the gumption to make something happen came together to discuss what needed to be done. As a result of these conversations, Hillside
House opened in 1985, on Hillside Street in Orangeville. It operated out of a single family dwelling, originally designed to hold one family. It was stretched to accommodate sometimes as many as 20 or more women and their children and operated like that for many years. With stable funding and the support of a generous community for a capital campaign, Hillside House officially
Despite a concerted effort to educate the community that violence is never an acceptable part of a relationship, 30 years later the shelter is full every night, and our waiting lists for counselling services are longer than ever. became Family Transition Place in 1997 when it opened its doors in its existing location on Bredin Parkway. Much has changed over the past 30 years, but the reason for our being in existence has
not. Women still need a place to go with their children when home is no longer safe. Despite a concerted effort to educate the community that violence is never an acceptable part of a relationship, 30 years later the shelter is full every night, and our waiting lists for counselling services are longer than ever. But FTP itself has changed. Always a vibrant and progressive Safety. Support. Hope. organization, the agency has 1985-2015 modified and expanded in order to keep up with the growing community and the increasing and changing demands for service. FTP expanded its facilities in 2011 to increase bedrooms and enhance accessibility. continued on inside page...
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May is Sexual Assault Awareness Month FTP offers free individual counselling in Orangeville, Bolton, and Shelburne for women and men 16 years of age and older for recent or historical sexual abuse. Through counselling, you can begin to let go of the guilt, anger, and shame that many victims of sexual assault experience and begin to feel empowered, stronger and hopeful about your future.
905.584.4357 • 519.942.4122 • familytransitionplace.ca • 24 Hour Info/Crisis Line 519.941.4357 • 905.584.4357 • 1.800.265.9178
Spring News 2015