Making a Difference in the Lives of Women and Children Fleeing Domestic Violence

“I was at a point where I didn’t believe in myself; I didn’t believe I could accomplish anything. The Salvation Army changed my life for the better. They changed me,” said Nikara.

Nikara is one of many women at The Salvation Army Honeychurch Family Life Resource Centre in Brampton, an emergency shelter which supports women and children fleeing domestic violence.

“I had a group of women who didn’t want anything from me. They just wanted me to do better. I am grateful for that, and I am going to be forever grateful,” she said.

Honeychurch Family Life Resource Centre offers counselling services, legal services, counselling for children and child and youth support, as well as housing and outreach services.

Melissa, who also sought help from Honeychurch, explains she was once struggling with addiction and involved in prostitution, but she got a lot of support and help from The Salvation Army that changed her life. “They showed me that they loved me when I didn’t love myself,” said Melissa. “They showed me how to care for myself better and care for my children with many resources, as well as child counselling and counselling for myself.”

“Your situation doesn’t define who you are.  It doesn’t make you a bad person,” said Melissa.  “The Salvation Army saved my life, and they can’t get rid of me.  They are stuck with me,” she laughed.

“When I have a conversation with mom the first thing I say to them Is ‘I could be you and you could be me very easily.’  Whatever decisions they make I’m not here to judge them I am here to support them,” said Linda Fleming, Children’s Counsellor at Honeychurch.

“The women I speak to often don’t remember what was said to them, but they remember how they felt. How we treat people and how we give a piece of ourselves to that person I think that’s what matters most. More than anything else.”

By: Caroline Franks