‘It was my home’: Harmony House marks 40 years of helping women and children in Ottawa

Harmony House is marking 40 years of work in the capital but says the need for their services are growing. CTV’s Kimberley Johnson reports.

Harmony House is recognizing 40 years of service in the Nation’s Capital, as it struggles with a growing need for its services.

Harmony House opened its doors in 1986, and provides stable, transitional housing for women and their children in crisis and those fleeing abuse. But, as it marks the 40-year milestone — and also marks thousands of families helped — officials say they’re filled with mixed emotions as the need for the organization’s services continues to grow.

One former resident named Chrys spoke to CTV News Ottawa and says she hopes she can inspire other women to know they are not alone. CTV News Ottawa agreed to only use Chrys’ first name and to not show her face.

Chrys moved into a Harmony House apartment after living in an emergency shelter for three months with her daughter. She says the apartment was a place of security and community for them for a year-and-a-half.

“The moment I walked through these doors everything changed,” she says. “For the better.”

While walking through an apartment, Chrys says it was a place of importance for her. One of support in a time of crisis for her and her daughter.

“I had my own space,” she says. “I had, you know, people who were like…Everything starts anew, and we’re here to help you with it.”

“It’s not just a unit, it’s your home. It was my home.”

Chrys smiles recalling her daughter and her daughter’s friend, who also lived in the Harmony House apartment units with her mother, climbing on the bed.

“We would all come in, and the kids would run around. They would climb.”

Marilyn Matheson, Harmony House’s executive director, says in addition to housing, families are offered counselling, childcare and career support. Everything inside the home, from pots to towels, is also included.

“We want to show them what a life without violence or abuse can look like,” she explains.

“It is so important. For the second stage housing to be a stable place for them to heal and recover before they move on to their next stage of living.”

In all, the organization has helped about 3,000 families, but Matheson says the need is growing.

The waitlist includes up to 80 families and as the charity looks to the future, it is fundraising to buy more apartments and hire additional staff to help more women and children.

“We want to end the cycle of abuse,” she explains. “And we need to meet the need to make sure the children have a more stable, environment.”

On March 2, Matheson says the charity will hold a “Hope and Promise” breakfast event to mark this year’s milestone and a fundraiser to help them continue and expand their work.

Matheson says Harmony House is also putting out a call to former residents who may want to come and share their stories, both in person, and anonymously at the breakfast.

Those who wish to do so can reach out securely to [e-mail].

Chrys says today, because of Harmony House, she has a degree in event management, and has moved out with her daughter.

She says she’s speaking out so others know they too can have a future.

“It took me a long time to get to this point,” she says. “To sit in this chair, and it wasn’t clean, it was messy, and that’s okay for it to be messy. I just need you to get to this chair with me.”

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