A Sanctuary Beyond Safety: Supporting Families at Nelson House
For women and non-binary people leaving domestic violence, Nelson House offers more than a safe place to stay. It provides support, advocacy, and compassion during one of the most difficult transitions a family can face. Serving women with or without children, Nelson House works to meet families where they are, recognizing that leaving an abusive situation is a process that often takes time, courage, and ongoing support.
We recently spoke with Heather Walsh, Children’s Program Coordinator at Nelson House, along with Patricia, a Child and Youth Care student completing her placement at the shelter, about their work supporting women and children and their experience as part of the Growing Up Safe partnership. Heather has been with Nelson House for over 25 years and brings a deep understanding of the legal, emotional, and practical challenges families face when fleeing violence.
The Power of a Diverse and Welcoming Team
Nelson House supports women and non-binary people who are leaving domestic violence situations, whether they arrive with children or on their own. Staff work flexibly to support residents both inside and outside the shelter, recognizing that not everyone is ready or able to leave right away. Advocacy is a central part of the work, from supporting women through child protection meetings, court processes, and school transitions, to helping navigate housing, legal systems, and community resources.
According to Heather, what sets Nelson House apart is its team. Staff bring diverse backgrounds, languages, and lived experiences that help women feel welcomed and understood. Creating safety from the moment someone walks through the door is a priority. For many women, coming to a shelter is a brave and overwhelming step, especially when children are involved. The environment, including welcoming shared spaces and a child-friendly playroom, helps ease some of the fear and uncertainty families carry with them.
The Impact of the Growing Up Safe Partnership
Nelson House is a proud partner in the Growing Up Safe collaboration with Crossroads, a partnership Heather described as both long overdue and deeply impactful. While women are often able to access counselling supports during their stay, it has historically been much harder to connect children with mental health services quickly.
Having Crossroads clinicians on site has changed that. Children and caregivers can begin building relationships right away, often through informal interactions that make support feel more accessible and less intimidating.
Heather shared that the partnership allows families to receive support from the person they feel most comfortable with, when they need it, rather than being limited by schedules or roles. This flexibility means women and children are better supported through difficult moments, including major transitions such as moving into housing. Continued support after leaving the shelter is especially important, as many women face new anxieties once they are on their own.
Both Heather and Patricia reflected positively on their experience with Collaborative Problem Solving (CPS) training through Growing Up Safe. The approach felt intuitive and aligned with the work staff were already doing, while offering a clearer framework and shared language. While CPS has not yet been used extensively with children due to the ages and needs of recent residents, staff have seen its value in supporting caregivers and plan to continue practicing and integrating the approach more fully.
The Reward of Meaningful Change
When asked what they are most proud of, Heather spoke about the privilege of being part of meaningful change. Supporting women and children to see possibilities they once thought were out of reach is both challenging and deeply rewarding. Despite the emotional demands of the work, staff remain motivated by a genuine desire to empower families and walk alongside them as they rebuild their lives.
Heather hopes the Growing Up Safe partnership continues to grow and evolve. She shared that it has become an essential part of how Nelson House supports families and cannot imagine doing the work without it. Her message to readers was simple but powerful:
"Anyone can need help at some point in their life. When we are able to offer support, we should. And when we need it, we should not hesitate to reach out."