Residential Programs
Women and children who are at high risk of continued abuse by their partner may stay in self-contained apartments
within our secure facility for up to six months. In addition to 24 hour security that ensures residents’ safety,
we offer individual counseling and help women develop concrete plans to keep themselves and their children safe.
They also learn about the affects of family violence, which enhances their ability to positively cope with the consequences
and supports them as they achieve personal goals. This is also achieved in group counselling. The peer support
the women receive in groups help them to understand that they are not alone in their experience of family violence.
Further support is offered through counsellor advocacy, which enables the women to access community resources and address
practical needs related to issues such as housing, child custody, employment, education and finances.
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Outreach Programs
Discovery House offers two types of outreach programming. “Follow up” services focus on the women who leave the shelter,
and assist them with the transition to a violence free life in the community. Services include information, individual
and group counselling, safety planning, life skills, referrals and advocacy in accessing community resources.
”Community based counselling” is for individuals who have not been a resident of Discovery House but have experienced abuse
within an intimate relationship. Services involve providing information, safety planning and advocacy in accessing
community resources. Community based counselling includes both individual and group modalities.
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Child and Youth Programs
Children and teenagers are deeply influenced by exposure to violence in their homes. The primary place of nurture
and security becomes, instead, a place of fear, anger and shame. Children raised with family violence are at risk
of perpetuating the violence as an adult.
The child and youth program helps young people who have been exposed to family violence or been abused in their families.
Without proper counseling children will externalize or internalize their feelings of fear, anger, mistrust and sadness hurt
their chances of being healthy, happy adults. Our services assist children in learning how to express feelings and thoughts,
develop problem solving skills, increase understanding about the cycle of violence, build healthy relationships,
increase self esteem, gain emotional support, assess risk of danger and develop strategies to ensure their safety.
These services are available to both residential and outreach child and youth.
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Community Connections
Discovery House is committed to positive relationships within the community. We are involved in various public awareness
and fund development partnerships with corporations, churches and service clubs. Our partners play a vital role
in supporting Discovery House’s programs and services. We depend on our partners for ongoing financial support.
We are also well connected with other service providers to ensure excellence in client service delivery. We are partners
in various research projects that contribute to the development of “best practices” for our clients. Research outcomes
are shared with other service providers to further enhance service delivery in the community.
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Volunteerism
Volunteers lend their talents and skills to various parts of the agency. The volunteers supplement agency services
to families and assist with fundraising and public awareness. Volunteers are given training, support, and gratitude
for their participation in the agency. Opportunities for both men and women are available. To find out about
our volunteer opportunities please call 403.204.6835
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