Partnership in Action

1. Working Together to Serve Brantford & the County of Brant Partnership in Action

2. OUR MISSION: Every person is entitled to a life without violence. For over 35 years, Nova Vita has been the only emergency shelter in our community to offer holistic client-centred residential and counselling services to abused and homeless women and their children, and counselling service to perpetrators of domestic violence in Brantford & Brant County. Who We Are

3. 1983 – On June 1st Nova Vita opened its doors on Chatham Street offering a safe-haven to abused women and their children. 1989 – Nova Vita began providing counselling services to male perpetrators. Our History

4. 1995 – We moved to our current location, 59 North Park Street, with 18 emergency beds and additional program space. 2003 – Expanded current facility and added 10 beds for homeless and abused women and children. Our History

5. 2005 – Opened of Maria’s House, offering longer term residential stays combining independent living with counselling and support. 2007 – Opened additional transitional housing and support program with 8 apartment units. Our History

6. 2013 – Opened our First Social Enterprise, Closet Couture Boutique, to develop additional financial support by selling gently used clothing and to educate the community about Nova Vita. Our History

7. Brantford is currently ranked 2nd in Ontario and 6th in Canada for police reported cases of domestic violence. We at Nova Vita see how violence impacts individuals and families, and we work diligently to provide safe shelter, crisis support, individual and group counselling to everyone in our community. AND, we can’t do it alone, we rely on community partnerships and donations to help those members of our community impacted by domestic violence and homelessness. Nova Vita Today

8. 6,084 Calls to our Crisis Support line (519-752-HELP) • 127 women and 120children called Nova Vita home • 3 babies were born making Nova Vita their first home • 15 women lived safely in one of our second stage transitional housing apartments • 224 women were assisted by our transitional support workers to develop safety plans, find safe affordable housing, and transition from an abusive relationship Last Year Alone…

9. 324 women received individual and group counselling to heal from violence and abuse they experienced • 50 mothers and 32 fathers were provided with wrap-around supportive interventions, referrals, and safety planning in our Differential Response partnership program with Brant FACS • 24 children and 42 parents were supported in family-based programs through our Child Witness and Carling Families programs • 311 men were helped off-site by Nova Vita to increase their knowledge, skills, resources, and self awareness to develop and maintain healthier relationships Last Year Alone…

10. When Saint Vincent de Paul Brant opened its doors in 1990, Nova Vita began sending excess donations to them. At the time, we were a smaller organization, with fewer clients, and limited storage for the generous donations we received. When a client was discharging, Nova Vita would then send clients to stop in at the store to seek help in getting items for their new home. The Start of a Great Partnership

11. When Pat Lenz joined the team at Saint Vincent de Paul, she formalized the system to enhance the level of service to assist Nova Vita clients. 12 years ago, shelter staff began giving clients a referral letter prior to moving out of Nova Vita which allowed clients to connect directly with volunteers from the local parish and discuss their household needs in private. Arrangements were then made for the client to collect items on their wish list – ranging from dressers, to dining tables, to curtains, to beds, you name it. Working Together to Help Our Community

12. In 2018, 127 women called Nova Vita home and 15 women lived safely in one of our second stage transitional housing units. Saint Vincent de Paul Brant was there to help over 100 of these women secure needed items for their home. Making a Difference

13. Saint Vincent de Paul Brant has extended their aid to Nova Vita by offering to assist clients in our community counselling programs. When needed, a referral letter is provided to these clients to receive one time assistance with clothing, household items, and furniture from the Saint Vincent de Paul Thrift Store. Making a Difference

14. Nova Vita both recognizes and values the important role that Saint Vincent de Paul Brant plays in helping us to better support our clients to break the cycle of violence. • With their help, we are able to empower women to live a safe life with independence and dignity. A Shared Mission to Help

15. At Nova Vita, we strive to support our partners at Saint Vincent de Paul and reciprocate their generosity: • On a weekly basis we pay-it-forward with the donation of soft goods, housewares, furniture and other items we receive that we cannot readily use at the shelter. A Shared Mission to Help

16. Last year, we donated over 815 bags of soft-goods, household items, and accessories to Saint Vincent de Paul Brant. A Shared Mission to Help

17. We provide referrals from Saint Vincent de Paul customers to shop with anonymity at Closet Couture Boutique. • All inquiries to donate furniture and housewares to Nova Vita are redirected to Saint Vincent de Paul Brant & our partnership is highlighted. A Shared Mission to Help

18. Our partnership is a great example of how organizations can work together to achieve their missions, fill service gaps, and not duplicate services. • We look forward to a lasting and mutually beneficial relationship to ensure that more members of our community receive the help and support they need. Together we have an even greater impact on our community

19. October 15, 2019