CWSS – Connecting Women with Scarborough Services

Home Is Not a
Safe Place for Everyone

You Are Not Alone

About Us

Empowering Women is Our Main Goal

Connecting Women with Scarborough Services (CWSS), a project of MakeWay Canada Shared Platform, is a partnership of community agencies working together to provide a coordinated approach to address the issue of violence against women. Our mandate is to establish an effective coordination of services and provide community outreach. Our goal is to be responsive to the needs of women survivors of violence and the community agencies that provide services to them, by improving accessibility of services for women survivors and women experiencing abuse.

Everyone has the right to live in safety and with dignity,
free from intimidation and the threat of violence.

Learn More

Physical

Verbal

Sexual

Emotional

Financial

Technological

Who We Help

CWSS offers services to marginalized and racialized populations of women who have survived violence. CWSS uses the umbrella term “woman” recognizing that gender is self-identification that is not necessarily correspondent with assigned sex at birth. We recognize the complexity and diversity of gender and aim to be inclusive to people outside of and across the gender spectrum.

Area We Serve

We assist clients living within the borders of Scarborough. Scarborough’s borders are Victoria Park Avenue (North York, East York, and Old Toronto) to the west, the Rouge River, the Little Rouge Creek and the Scarborough-Pickering Townline (Pickering) to the east, Steeles Avenue (Markham) to the north, and Lake Ontario to the south.

Our Services

CWSS provides information to women at our rotating clinics. We meet in existing community hubs and community spaces, so that our services are accessible to women throughout Scarborough. At these clinics, intake workers meet with women to inform and connect them to the gender based violence services of their choice. Women experiencing violence are welcome to drop into the clinics or can call our number and make an in person or telephone appointment.

Free & Confidential Services

Some limits to confidentiality, please see FAQ

Our Process

CWSS works to reduce violence and abuse against women CWSS’s goal is to be responsive to women experiencing violence. To facilitate this, our intake workers meet with women, discuss each client’s situation, inform them of the services available and connect women to the services they choose to utilize. Information is only shared with service providers if the client chooses to do so. CWSS is completely client driven, helping women to navigate the system within their own comfort level.

Our Approach

Assessment

Safety Planning

Referrals

Multi-Lingual

Immediate Crisis Resources

If you are in immediate danger, call 911.

Assaulted Women’s
Helpline (24/7)

1-866-863-0511
TTY: 1-866-863-7868
www.awhl.org

Talk4Healing (24/7)
Services offered in Ojibway, Oji-Cree and Cree

1-855-554-HEAL
www.talk4healing.com

Femaide for Francophone Services (24/7)

1-877-femaide (336-2433)
TTY: 1-866-860-7082
www.femaide.ca

Shelter Safe (24/7)
Online map that will let you know where the closest shelter is in your community

www.sheltersafe.ca

*By using the 211 search, you will be taken away from the CWSS website.

Our Partners

We are a collaboration of agencies providing services to women who are experiencing violence
and are unsure of where to seek help.

CWSS expertise and services are focused on gender based violence. CWSS is comprised of agencies which provide a range of direct services to women experiencing gender based violence in Scarborough. These agencies have extensive knowledge of domestic violence, sexual violence, women with disabilities and elder abuse as well as the geographical, cultural and linguistic challenges faced by women trying to access services in Scarborough.

Our Funders

A heartfelt thank you to all of our funders* who make it possible to do the work we do.

*By clicking on a Funder, you will be taken away from the CWSS website. Please know that not all external websites will have a quick exit feature.

WE UNDERSTAND EVERYONE’S SITUATION IS DIFFERENT,
Contact us if you have specific questions

FAQ

Is CWSS a shelter?

Connecting Women with Scarborough Services is not a shelter. Our staff provides information on shelter options and facilitates the intake. If you are in immediate need of a shelter, please contact Assaulted Women’s Helpline at 416-863-0511

How much do your services cost?

Our services are free of charge. Please note that some of our partner agencies may have fees on a sliding scale.

Who can receive services at CWSS?

Anyone who self-identifies as a woman, is seeking to understand and heal from their experience of domestic, intimate partner, sexual violence and abuse and find resources for their needs can receive services at CWSS.
Perpetrators of domestic violence cannot receive services at CWSS.

English is not my first language. Can I receive services?

Yes, we use interpreters through our partner agency MCIS to help us provide the necessary supports.

Do I have to make a police report?

Services are offered voluntarily and it’s up to the woman to decide what services they would like to utilize.

Will I be refused services if I am non-status/undocumented?

Absolutely not. We will never refuse any services if you tell us you are undocumented. CWSS wants all women to have a place where they feel safe from abuse and are comfortable talking about their current situation. Everyone has a right to feel safe, regardless of status.

What happens to my information when I receive services at CWSS?

All of the information you share with staff is kept confidential. This means that any information shared by a woman with a staff member will be held in confidence and cannot be shared without your consent.
Limitations to Confidentiality: There are very few limits to confidentiality, but they include the reporting of known or suspected child abuse or neglect or intent to harm yourself or others.

How can I access CWSS services?

Connecting Women with Scarborough Services is available by phone: 647-527-4511; email: contact@cwomenss.ca; as well as through Zoom or WebEx, upon request. We offer virtual and in person appointments, keeping in mind public safety, all safety protocols will be followed as per Toronto Public Health guidelines as well as those of the locations of our intake clinics. If support is needed in transportation, please inform the intake worker as TTC tokens may be available, on a needs basis and based on availability.

647-527-4511

contact@cwomenss.ca