For Women
Margaret Laurence House is a safe place to live and gain support in the first year out of an abusive relationship. While at Margaret Laurence House individual supportive counseling is offered. We work from a feminist counseling perspective to help women establish their goals and develop strategies to meet those goals. Topics that are commonly discussed in counseling include but are not limited to: self-esteem, healthy communication, parenting, boundaries, healthy relationships, managing anxiety and trauma. We support women to maintain productive relationships with other community agencies as appropriate and to continue to build outside supports. A focus of support at Margaret Laurence House is to empower women to regain a sense of strength in the wake of disempowering relationships.
As part of the Program, speakers are offered on topics of interest to the residents and presented to them as a group. Some recent speakers have spoken on Non-violent Communication, Budgeting, Sexual Health and on Internet Safety. We often gather as a community for fun, community building events such as craft nights, outings, or just to share a meal in the backyard. Margaret Laurence House is a safe, supportive place to live while families make plans for their future.
The complex has three – two bedroom units and three – three bedroom units. We can sometimes accommodate families with more than 2 children in our larger 3 bedroom units. The rent is geared to income. There is a common backyard and a room that contains the office, the laundry, a sitting area and a computer for your use.