Building brighter futures With Nellie's
building brighter futures with Nellie's
Nellie’s is a safe space for healing, personal growth, and renewed strength. We approach every individual with empathy, sensitivity, and a commitment to understanding the unique experiences and needs of each woman and child who turns to us.
Our impact is measured in the many small steps forward and big breakthroughs made by women and their children. It’s in seeing the transformation that comes from empowering women to tap into their inherent strength and resilience. And it’s in the hope for a bright future that has come to life.
We are proud to support women and their children as they change the trajectory of their lives every day. This impact lives on, generation after generation, and it’s woven into the life story of so many families.
At least 1 baby is born at Nellie’s annually
At least 1 baby is born at Nellie’s annually
Krystal Joseph gained the skills she needed for a fresh start with her family.
Krystal was pregnant when she came to Nellie’s in 2017 with her two-year-old daughter in tow, just a few hundred dollars to her name and nowhere else to go. During her 14 months living at the shelter, she was able to process past trauma and take important steps to safeguard her future. She learned how to manage her finances, started college, volunteered often, and found her first job in Canada. Today, she is a case manager for YWCA Niagara Region and has made it her mission to help those facing similar difficulties.
“Any contribution people make to Nellie’s is money well spent—I’m living testimony of that. I’m not the only Krystal in the world, there are many more Krystals like me that will walk into Nellie’s, be in need as I was in need, and will come out stronger for it.”
On average, 40+ women arrive at Nellie’s every year fleeing intimate partner abuse
Christeen secured safe housing for her family, and found emotional support.
In 2005, Christeen was new to Canada, having arrived from Jamaica just a few months earlier. Pregnant with her second child and raising a 9-year-old son, she found herself in an unhealthy relationship and turned to Nellie’s for support.
Our housing staff helped Christeen find a safe and stable place for her family to live — a key step in her move forward — and supported her through the legal process of gaining permanent resident status. And, when Christeen gave birth to her second child, a compassionate staff member spent the entire day with her at the hospital. Today, Christeen is a proud employee of the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC), working as a bus driver, and has three sons.
“The people at Nellie’s were my family. To this day, I look up to the staff there — we’re still like sisters. I can never forget that place, and I can never forget what you all did for me.”
15,000+ women and their children have stayed at Nellie’s since it was founded in 1973
David Willson was one of the first kids to call Nellie’s home.
David was just seven years old when he arrived at Nellie’s in 1973 with his mother, Mary, and his two siblings. They’d fled their home in the middle of the night, his mother terrified she would die at the hands of his abusive father. At Nellie’s, the family were given safe shelter, beds, and all the supplies they needed. After three months at the shelter, the family moved into subsidized housing in Toronto and Mary continued to help others by taking in homeless teens. Today, David lives in Hamilton with his girlfriend and has two grown children.
“[My mom] lived a good life all because the people at Nellie’s took us in that night. Everyone who worked at Nellie’s then affected our futures. They helped my mom and us and my life trajectory totally changed. I can almost guarantee that my life would have been one of misery with all the abuse at home, and I could have even turned out like my father. Thank you, Nellie’s, for saving our lives.”
550 people are supported by Nellie’s Community Support & Outreach programs annually
Olivia found stable housing and the key to a secure future.
Olivia and her daughter Grace never lived at Nellie’s, but they first received crucial help from our Transitional Housing Program as they were facing eviction. After a successful appeal, they were able to stay in their home. But a few years later, Olivia, who was pregnant at the time, and Grace lost their home, and they landed at a local family shelter. Not knowing what to do, Olivia reached out to Nellie’s again. With the help of our transitional support worker, they moved into a subsidized housing unit six months later. Nellie’s also helped Olivia access child support for both girls and advocated for her when her rent was raised above her means. Today, Olivia has finally found the stability she so desperately needed to build a better life.
“Until now, everybody in my life just passed through for a few weeks or months, and then it would all collapse again. But Nellie’s has been there for me for such a long time, and no matter how hard it is for me, Nellie’s always shows me the way.”
