Who We Are

We walk with women, girls, boys, and community partners.

Women who have been abused, hurt, & harmed in relationships of dependency (e.g., by a caregiver, parent, family member, priest, coach, teacher).

Women who have been abused, hurt, & harmed in relationships of intimacy (e.g., boyfriend, husband, ex-partner, current relationship, same sex relationships).

Children of any age who are coming with their moms who have experienced abuse.

Individuals and families trying to help, seeking answers, needing support.

Workplaces, schools, faith groups, service, and agencies partnering to support children, students, youth, & women who have been abused and/or are at risk for harm.

All of Elgin County including St. Thomas, Aylmer, West Lorne and all points in between.

All services are free – no cost and no wait time.

Help is immediate.

Help is close by in St. Thomas, Aylmer, & West Lorne.

Our Mission

We strive with our community to end the violation of women and children and create safe communities together.

We do this by:

  • providing safety in an emergency shelter and quality counseling services

  • reducing the impact of violence in the lives of women and children

  • participating in community-based action for social change

  • promoting the rights of women and children to live in a violence-free community

Our History

From 1978 to 1995, St. Thomas Elgin YWCA operated Women’s Place a shelter for women and children who had been abused that served St. Thomas and Elgin County.

In 1995, Violence Against Women, Services Elgin County was created. It included the services of Women’s Place Elgin’s Emergency Shelter, 24 Hour Help Line, and Community Counselling Services.