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Evergreen and Virginia Sam Transition House

Who this program is for

The program is for abused women and abused women with children, who are fleeing abusive relationships.

Program Objective

To provide a safe home-like environment for women, and women with children, who are fleeing abusive relationships.

Program Description

The Support Workers at the transition houses are dedicated to empowering and supporting women and women with children, who are fleeing abusive relationships. Support Workers at the transition houses provide:

• Lay counselling and support
  
  
• A safe, homelike environment
  
  
• Food and toiletries
  
  
• Information and help in obtaining financial aid, medical care, legal assistance, housing, etc.
  
  
• Referrals to other agencies and services
  
  
• Advocacy
  
  
• Some staff provide multilingual services

There is no fee for participating in this program and this service is confidential.

FACTS ABOUT ABUSE

• Women are "more likely [than men] to suffer physical injury and to fear for their lives as a result of the violence endured at the hands of an intimate partner." (Taken from Family Violence in Canada: A Statistical Profile, Statistics Canada, 2004.)
  
  
• Women "were more likely to experience more serious forms of violence" including being pushed, shoved, slapped, and sexually assaulted and being beaten, choked, or assaulted with a gun or knife." (Taken from Family Violence in Canada: A Statistical Profile, Statistics Canada, 2004.)
  
  
• Abusers who assault their partners come from all socio-economic groups, educational levels, cultural and ethnic groups.
  
  
• Some women experience a cycle of abuse in their relationships, while others do not identify with a cycle. For those women that do identify with a cycle of abuse/violence, there are usually three parts to each cycle. The tension build-up phase, the explosive phase, and the honeymoon phase. The cycle of violence can take days, weeks, or months and may leave a woman feeling sad, angry and helpless, or hopeful that things will change in the relationship.
  
  
• The abuse may be: physical, spiritual, sexual, economic, verbal, psychological/emotional.
  
  
• The abuser may be a: spouse, partner, boyfriend/girlfriend, or family member.

Program Location

The program location is confidential due to the nature of the program.

Program Funding

Funding is provided by The Ministry of Community Services - Stopping the Violence Program.

Referrals or Prerequisites

Referrals to the transition house programs may come from a variety or sources, including self-referrals. Support Workers must speak to women being referred to the program before they will be accepted into the program.

Testimonials

• “The transition house taught me so much about abuse and about how to be a strong person from the inside.”
  
  
• “I am thankful to all of the staff for helping me out and for the compassion and support that they have given me.”
  
  
• “Thank you so much for a safe place to stay, a warm bed and food, plus great support during this time of change!”
  
  
• “I feel safe (now).  I think my stay here has helped me incredibly to get on my feet.”
  
  
• “I did not want to leave because the staff was so good to me.”

Contact Information

Evergreen Transition House or Virginia Sam Transition House
Phone: 604-584-3301 (Evergreen Transition House) or 604-572-5116 (Virginia Sam Transition House)
Email: info@options.bc.ca

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