For nearly five decades, Interval House of Ottawa has been a vital support for women, gender-diverse people, and children experiencing gender-based violence. As Ottawa’s oldest and largest gender-based violence shelter, Interval House offers more than emergency housing. It provides safety, compassion, and wraparound supports that help families regain stability and begin rebuilding their lives.
We recently spoke with Lori Jardine, Child and Family Program Coordinator at Interval House, about the shelter’s work, its approach to supporting children, and its involvement in the Growing Up Safe partnership. Lori has been in her role for nearly four years and brings over 20 years of experience working with children and families. Her reflections highlight the deeply relational, trauma-informed work that takes place every day within the shelter.
Interval House serves women and gender-diverse people experiencing gender-based violence, along with their dependents and even their pets. It is the only shelter in Ottawa able to accommodate pets, allowing families to stay together during an already difficult transition. The shelter operates 24/7 and offers residential services, children’s programming, an on-site licensed daycare, and community-based supports for families who may not be ready or able to access shelter.
According to Lori, the heart of Interval House lies in its people. Staff bring dedication, compassion, and strong trauma-informed practices to their work, supported by leadership that prioritizes staff well-being. Rather than focusing only on the immediate crisis, the team works to support the whole person and the whole family, creating space for families to move from survival toward stability and healing.
When families first arrive, they are often facing uncertainty and emotional overwhelm. Many children have experienced trauma or instability that affects their sense of safety and ability to regulate emotions. Adjusting to new routines can be challenging, and families need time to build trust and settle into a new environment. Establishing predictability, consistency, and emotional safety is a crucial first step.
Children benefit from small, everyday practices that help them feel seen and supported. Validating emotions, offering choices, and maintaining routines can help children regain a sense of control. Play and creative expression provide safe outlets for children to process experiences and make sense of their world. Structured activities, such as homework club and creative programs, give children something familiar to look forward to and help build trust and connection.
Interval House is a proud partner in the Growing Up Safe initiative, which brings Crossroads clinicians directly into shelter settings. For Lori and her team, this collaboration has strengthened how children and families are supported. Having clinicians on-site allows for quicker access to care and reduces barriers for families who might otherwise face long wait times. It also supports more coordinated, child-centred responses to challenges as they arise.
Through the partnership, staff have gained access to shared tools and training, including Collaborative Problem Solving (CPS). The model’s core belief — that kids do well if they can — resonated deeply with staff. Instead of viewing behaviour as oppositional, CPS encourages adults to look beneath behaviour and consider what skills a child may be struggling with, helping staff respond with more patience and curiosity.
Lori spoke with pride about the culture at Interval House and the way staff support one another. The team works collaboratively and with integrity, grounded in a shared belief that every moment counts. She also emphasized the resilience of the families they serve. They are not defined by the crisis that brought them to shelter. Shelters like Interval House remain lifelines, offering safety, care, and hope during some of life’s most challenging moments.