Guelph-Wellington Women in Crisis

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Guelph-Wellington Women in Crisis Need support? Want to know how to help a friend? Call our Crisis Line: 519 836 5710 or 1 800 265 7233 VISION
Women and children live free of violence.

Guelph-Wellington Women in Crisis is a feminist community-based organization providing services to women and their children on woman abuse and sexual violence. We believe our services must be inclusive and equitable for all individuals accessing our programs while being responsive to issues of race, gender, religion, age, sexual orientation, socio-economic status and/or abilities. Our
programs:

Marianne’s Place (shelter)
Anti-Human Trafficking Program (AHTP)
Transitional and Housing Support Program (THSP)
Family Court Support Program (FCSP)
Rural Women’s Support Program (RWSP)
Sexual Assault Centre (SAC)
24-hour Crisis Line

There are no fees for any G-W Women in Crisis services. Mission

MISSION
Guelph-Wellington Women in Crisis is a feminist community-based organization providing services to women and their children on woman abuse and sexual violence. VALUES
Safety: All women and children have the right to live in safety and dignity. G-W Women in Crisis is committed to creating environments where all women feel safe. We build safety through healthy practices of inclusion, respect, self-care and confidentiality. Self-Determination/Choice: G-W Women in Crisis will respect the choices women make about their own lives. We support and advocate for women’s individual and collective right to make their own decisions. Client-Centred: Women know their own experiences and needs best. G-W Women in Crisis will respect each woman’s right to determine the services she needs, based on her wishes, concerns, values, priorities, perspectives and strengths. Equity: Every woman will be treated equitably at G-W Women in Crisis. In order to increase accessibility and equity, a broad range of innovative and differentiated programs and services will be developed and offered based on individual and community needs. Intersectionality: G-W Women in Crisis will recognize and respect each woman’s unique lived experience and her individual and multiple relationships to: race, ancestry, place of origin, colour, ethnic origin, citizenship, creed, sex, sexual orientation, age, marital status, family status, record of offences, receipt of social assistance and disability. Equality: The root causes of violence against women are societal, and the solutions lie in changing values, attitudes, behaviours, structures and systems to achieve gender equality. G-W Women in Crisis will advocate for equity and social justice in an effort to address and eliminate barriers to inclusion. Systemic Change: G-W Women in Crisis will work towards creating social systems and institutions that are rooted in equality. Systemic change enacts changes beyond individuals, individual organizations, single problems and single solutions. Partnerships: G-W Women in Crisis will work in consultation, collaboration and partnership, seeking input and sharing information to develop strategies and actions to advocate for and work towards ending violence against women and children. Conflict Resolution: G-W Women in Crisis embraces the practice of critical reflection, which includes accountability, questioning, and challenging ourselves and others. We are committed to respectful ways of challenging and practicing healthy conflict resolution. Change is Possible: G-W Women in Crisis believes the potential for change in attitudes, behaviours and systems is possible. Education: G-W Women in Crisis supports and creates opportunities for education. We will share our skills, knowledge, history and understanding about the causes and solutions to ending violence against women and children with our community.

πŸŽ‰Congratulations πŸŽ‰ to Sunny Marriner on receiving the 2026 Governor General’s Award in Commemoration of the Persons Case...
10/21/2026

πŸŽ‰Congratulations πŸŽ‰ to Sunny Marriner on receiving the 2026 Governor General’s Award in Commemoration of the Persons Case. This award recognizes her 30+ years spent fighting the good fight for justice for survivors of s*xual violence in Canada.

Thank you, Sunny, for all your work on behalf of survivors!

Visit https://www.canada.ca/en/women-gender-equality/commemorations-celebrations/governor-general-awards/2026-recipients.html?utm_source=facebook&hsid=ba2715b5-db22-49d0-ab38-4359bfcaf8da to learn more about the recipients.

OCRCC - Sexual Assault Support

Need a crafts-filled afternoon in your life? Why not stitch for a great cause!Head to Ground Floor Arts (112 Wyndham Str...
10/20/2026

Need a crafts-filled afternoon in your life? Why not stitch for a great cause!

Head to Ground Floor Arts (112 Wyndham Street North, across from Wyndham Art Supplies) this Saturday, October 24th, from 2:30-5pm for a Collaborative Stitching Session of β€œCall This What It Is.”

Artist Katie Tonetti explains:

"'Call This What It Is' is a permanent work in progress depicting the names of women and girls who have been the victims of femicide in Canada since 2020. I am currently working the panels for 2021.
The Collaborative Stitching Session presents an opportunity for community members to participate in the stitching of the names for the 2021 panels.

It is an opportunity to sit in a safe space to reflect upon and possibly discuss the impact of violence against women and girls on the community at large as well as personally, if you feel so inclined.

This is not a workshop or group counselling session. The discussion and material may be triggering so it is important to check in with yourself and do only what you feel you’re able to.

The names stitched by participants during this session will be incorporated onto a panel as part of 'Call This What It Is.'"

Be a part of this powerful statement of remembrance and action.

Coming up on Thursday - join us for this incredible night and let's walk to end GBV together πŸ’œ
10/19/2026

Coming up on Thursday - join us for this incredible night and let's walk to end GBV together πŸ’œ

1 WEEK TO GO! Grab your spot for the Night Light Walk & claim local perks! 🍽️✨

With only 1 week left until walk night, signing up just got even better! Thanks to our generous community sponsors, including Borealis Grille & Bar, registering for next week’s event comes with exclusive perks for local food lovers:

🎁 WALKER PERKS INCLUDE:
Adult Walkers: Receive a $10 Borealis Grille gift card!
Child Walkers: Receive a Kids Eat Free card!
All Participants: Enjoy an official event toque with a built-in headlight, an LED glow bracelet, pre-walk festivities, live music, and hot drinks before we step off under the stars!

πŸ’œ 100% of local proceeds stay in Guelph to directly fund local shelter services, transitional housing, and trauma-informed care for women and children escaping intimate partner violence.

πŸ“ EVENT SNAPSHOT
When: Thursday, October 22, 2026 (Rain or shine)
Where: Royal City Park South (30 Albert St, Guelph)
Schedule: Gather at 6:15 PM | 3 km Walk starts at 7:00 PM
Parking: Free street parking & free parking at 114 Gordon St

πŸ‘Ÿ HOW TO GET INVOLVED:
Register & Walk: Sign up solo or rally your family, co-workers, or friends (leashed dogs welcome!).
Make a Direct Donation: Can’t join us in person? You can still support our local shelter campaign online.
Sponsor: Businesses can reach out directly for remaining local sponsorship opportunities!

πŸ“² Tap the link in our bio to register or donate today!
https://shelterfoundation.akaraisin.com/ui/NightLightWalk/g/50708

10/18/2026

A question that changed history: Are women considered persons under the law?

In 1927, five determined women, later known as the Famous Five, decided to challenge Canada’s legal system. They asked a bold question: did the word β€œperson” in Section 24 of the British North America Act apply to women as well as men?

Their fight lasted two years. Finally, on October 18, 1929, Canada’s highest court of appeal delivered its answer: YES, women are persons.

In his ruling, the Lord Chancellor called the old exclusion of women from public life β€œa relic of days more barbarous than ours.” He added, β€œTo those who would ask why the word β€˜person’ should include females, the obvious answer is, why should it not?”

This groundbreaking decision became known as the Persons Case: a major victory for women’s rights in Canada. Although it didn’t grant equality to all women, particularly Indigenous women and women of Asian descent, it opened doors to political participation and leadership that had long been closed.

Today, we remember the courage of the Famous Five and the legacy they created: one that continues to shape the pursuit of equality in Canada.

Learn more about the Persons Case: https://ow.ly/aigB50ZXgXJ

Today we celebrate the International Day of Rural Women!Rural women grow our food, steward our lands and waters, fight f...
10/15/2026

Today we celebrate the International Day of Rural Women!

Rural women grow our food, steward our lands and waters, fight for our planet's survival and build resilient futures for all of us.

And yet to thrive themselves, they often need to overcome systemic barriers that urban women don't, experiencing higher rates of gender-based violence while also having access to fewer resources and supports for violence.

Rural women in Canada experience rates of police-reported intimate partner violence (IPV) 75% higher than those for urban women (GBV Learning Network 2021). Supports tend to be fewer, farther away and less accessible.

For 40 years, the Guelph-Wellington Women in Crisis Rural Women’s Support Program (RWSP) has helped rural women and gender-diverse people overcome those barriers and live free from violence. We have offices in Erin, Fergus, Mount Forest and Palmerston.

To learn more about our RWSP, please visit:
https://gwwomenincrisis.org/get-help/rwsp/

And to access immediate support, call our 24/7 Crisis Line at 1-800-265-7233 OR 519-836-5710.

Thank you to Taylor Pace and our friends at Guelph Today for so consistently and thoughtfully using your voices to raise...
10/14/2026

Thank you to Taylor Pace and our friends at Guelph Today for so consistently and thoughtfully using your voices to raise awareness about gender-based violence!

As a community, when we are loud in supporting survivors and speaking out against violence, we give people who experience s*xual assault more confidence that they will be believed and we make the people who assault them less confident that their actions will fly.

We can't link to the story, but if you go to Guelph Today's website, this is the story you're looking for.

If you need support, you can call us 24/7: 1-800-265-7233 OR 519-836-5710.

**eCulture

Advance polls are now open and this is a quick reminder that municipal election results have a deep impact on survivors....
10/13/2026

Advance polls are now open and this is a quick reminder that municipal election results have a deep impact on survivors.

The Ontario Coalition of R**e Crisis Centres explains: "Housing, transportation, public spaces and community planning can all shape whether survivors can access safety and support."

With less than 2 weeks before the municipal election, have you asked your candidates what they intend to do to address gender-based violence and s*xual violence in Guelph and Wellington County?

Find out where they stand. And then get the vote out! Find out where and how to vote here:

https://guelph.ca/2026/10/cast-your-vote-in-guelphs-municipal-election-this-october/

https://www.wellington.ca/your-government/municipal-elections

Want to know more about human trafficking? Join G-W Women in Crisis, along with the East Wellington Family Health Team f...
10/09/2026

Want to know more about human trafficking?

Join G-W Women in Crisis, along with the East Wellington Family Health Team for this in-depth information session on s*x trafficking in our region. Learn about:

πŸ“š Trafficking trends in Wellington County
πŸ“š How traffickers work to lure and recruit youth and adults
πŸ“š Red flags and signs to watch out for
πŸ“š How to talk to someone you think might be at risk
πŸ“š Where to find support

Get informed so you can help keep our community safe!

The Night Light Walk is only 2 weeks away! This incredible night was a smash success last year and we can't wait to do i...
10/08/2026

The Night Light Walk is only 2 weeks away! This incredible night was a smash success last year and we can't wait to do it again.

The amazing folks at Royal LePage Royal City Realty are hosting this 3K walk through the streets of Guelph to raise funds for our intimate partner violence shelter, Marianne's Place.

Guelph is only one of many communities across Canada taking to the streets on Oct. 22 and we're thrilled to be a part of this national effort to support survivors of gender-based violence.

πŸ“† Thursday, October 22, 2026

⏰ Suggested Arrival Time: 6:15 p.m. Walk Starts: 7:00 p.m. (rain or shine)

πŸ“ Royal City Park South: 30 Albert Street, Guelph, ON N1G 1C6

Free on-street parking is available, as well as free parking at 114 Gordon St. (Guelph Lawn Bowling Club)

Want to get involved? You can:

⭐ Donate! Give directly to support the WICedly Fierce & Fabulous team. We're 52% of the way to our fundraising goal and with your help, we can get there.
https://shelterfoundation.akaraisin.com/ui/NightLightWalk/t/01cc44c4ec934ff181c11f05da64394a

⭐ Start a team! If you think you can best the G-W WIC walkers (and we ARE at the top of the leaderboard, just saying), gather your friends and walk to support survivors together.

OR Walk as an individual! A $50 donation ($25 for youth) gets you in the walk, along with a light-up toque, shoe lights and other goodies courtesy of the Royal LePage Shelter Foundation!
https://shelterfoundation.akaraisin.com/ui/nightlightwalk/pledge/registration/start

⭐ Volunteer! It takes a village to put an event like this together and there are lots of opportunities available: https://rlpnightlightwalk.volunteerlocal.com/volunteer/?id=116814

Hope to see you all there!

Thank you to everyone who came out to our Parhways to Justice event yesterday! Our panel of experts from Community Justi...
10/07/2026

Thank you to everyone who came out to our Parhways to Justice event yesterday!

Our panel of experts from Community Justice Initiatives, the Crown Attorney's Office, Gluckstein Lawyers and Guelph Police shared fantastic information and resources to help survivors better understand their reporting options and the ways different justice systems work.

We appreciate those folks offering their time and expertise to support survivors in making the choices that are right for them in their healing journey.

*xualviolence

Address

38 Elizabeth Street
Guelph, ON
N1E2X2

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

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