YWCA women’s shelter in Sudbury operates at over capacity to keep up with demand

YWCA Genevra House exceeded capacity last year, sheltering 125 women and children amid rising abuse calls and Ontario's housing crisis.

The YWCA Genevra House in Greater Sudbury is an emergency shelter for women seeking to escape abusive situations and to access support services.

The organization has released its annual report, a snapshot of the growing need for its services in the city.

This year, the YWCA Genevra House went over capacity, opening its doors to 125 women and children, a sign that intimate partner violence is a growing problem.

“We know that the number of intimate partner violence calls to police has increased and continues to be on the rise across Ontario and across Canada,” said Marlene Gorman, executive director of the YWCA Genevra House.

While the emergency shelter saw more people come through its doors last year, Gorman said the growing affordable housing crisis meant clients stayed for longer periods of time.

That meant there were fewer open beds, even as demand for help was growing. Many clients had to wait longer for subsidized housing.

“We know that the wait for that is longer than it has been in the past,” she said.

Longer and longer stays

“So they’re staying longer. (At one time), women stayed for a couple of months. Now it’s closer to ... five months. So that’s why we’re serving (fewer) women in the shelter because they’re staying longer.”

Officials said the shelter helps women in other ways, including support with family court. One woman -- who is being called Jordan to protect her identity -- is one of 200 who received that guidance.

“Through the program, she found clarity and support. Staff helped her understand court documents, prepare for hearings, and develop a safety plan that made her feel more in control. Most importantly, she no longer had to face the system alone.”

Gorman said success stories are what fuel them.

“That’s what keeps us going, really, and reinforces why we’re here and what we do,” she said.

“Seeing someone as a success can be someone who’s come into shelter. And after a couple of days, you just see their shoulders drop, and they feel comfortable and they’re sleeping again. And for the first time, you see that smile on their face. That’s a success.”

This year, the emergency shelter answered just under 1,400 crisis calls, with many looking for emergency shelter. Even with the addition of one new bed this year, bringing the total to 33, Genevra House had to refer many women and children to seek support through community partners.

Gorman said some referrals end up with people moving people out of town if necessary.

“Without this service, women wouldn’t have anywhere to turn,” she said.

“We do have other shelters for women who are homeless in our community. And we work together because those are full, too. This isn’t just a Sudbury issue. This is all across Canada, and we hear it from all of the organizations that we communicate with in Ontario and across Canada.”