Iris Kirby House

Address: 196 Waterford Bridge Rd., St. John’s, NL, A1E 1E2 

Mandate:

To provide a safe and secure refuge for women with or without children who are experiencing domestic violence.

Target Population:

Women facing domestic violence and their children.

Highlights of Programs/Services Offered:

• Emergency Shelter: The shelter is a safe place for women and their children fleeing domestic violence and abuse. Staff are available 24 hours a day to respond to your needs and maintain a comfortable and supportive living environment. 
• Non-Resident Services: Not all women fleeing domestic violence will stay at a shelter. Some women will access services by telephone or through scheduled appointments with shelter staff while staying in a safe place outside of the shelter. 
• Children and Youth: Services Worker provides support and assistance to mothers and families who flee domestic violence. Services include referrals, advocacy, events, and children’s activities. 
• Mental Health Program: A Mental Health Counsellor is on staff to provide support for women fleeing domestic violence. This includes assessment, counselling, advocacy and referral. 
• Second Stage Housing: Supported, safe, affordable single and family units are offered to women transitioning into the community from the shelter to more permanent, long term housing. 
• Supportive Housing Units: Four self-contained units attached to Iris Kirby House provide women needing additional support while transitioning out of the shelter to stay for up to one year and receive services from the Mental Health, Life Skills and Outreach Programs. 
• Outreach & Special Events: Women and children who have lived at the shelter can take part in a variety of special events and recreational activities throughout the year including our Adopt-a-Family Christmas Program. 
• Empowerment Group Series: Educational and support groups are offered regularly providing women an opportunity to learn, share, build on their strengths, and move toward security and economic independence. 
• Life Skills Program: Women are offered assistance with daily life skills such as budgeting, nutritional menu planning, cooking and navigating community services. 
• In-House Recreational & Educational Activities: Women and children who are staying at the shelter can participate in activities such as yoga, crafts, music programs and information sessions. Some of these activities are also open to former residents and women in the community who are receiving services from Iris Kirby House. 
• Housing Program: Housing Case Manager on staff to provide intensive support and assistance to women fleeing domestic violence, who have the goal of obtaining stable, secure housing. This may include working on life skills, budgeting, community connections, eviction prevention etc.