START is a walk-in service hub, available every Monday at the YWCA (216 Simcoe Street, Peterborough), for women who have questions about the safety of their relationship or who would like to find ways to move forward.
START helps women quickly gather reliable information from as many as 12 local agencies at one central location. Once equipped with the right resources and support, women can make better-informed decisions based on their personal situations.
START also helps ease the chaos women and children experience in the aftermath of a separation by connecting mothers with income supports, housing information and counselling services right away.
Our Free Confidential Services Include:
- Safety Planning
- Transition & Court Support
- Nursing assessment
- Counselling
- Admission to Crossroads Shelter or HERS
- Information about making a police report
- Children’s Aid support/advice
- Applying for social assistance
- And much more
Women have access to any and all services, based on their individual needs.
Partnering Agencies:
- City of Peterborough, Social Services
- Community Counselling & Resource Centre
- Elizabeth Fry Society of Peterborough
- Legal Aid Ontario
- Kawartha-Haliburton Children’s Aid Society
- Kawartha Sexual Assault Centre
- Ontario Provincial Police
- Ontario Works
- Peterborough Community Police – Victim Services Unit
- Victim Witness Assistance Program
- Peterborough Northumberland Victim Services
- Women’s Health Care Centre – Sexual Assault/Domestic Violence Program
- YWCA – Crisis and Support Counselling / Transition Support
- YWCA – Crossroads Shelter
- YWCA – Family Court Support