Harmony House Women's Shelter

Sarah’s Story

“When I first reached out for help, I wasn’t sure where to turn. I felt like I had to face everything alone.

Through Harmony House’s outreach and support program, I found a safe place to share what I was going through. The outreach worker listened with compassion, helped me understand my options, and reminded me that I didn’t have to navigate everything on my own.

The support I received was more than resources—it was hope. I was reminded that I matter, my story matters, and that I deserve to feel safe, supported, and respected.”

This June, as we observe National Indigenous History Month and Pride Month, we honour the importance of creating communities where everyone feels welcomed, respected, and valued for who they are.

Name and details changed to protect privacy.

Last week, Heroes on the Grill was one of the wonderful community activities that helped raise support and bring summer fun resources to the children and youth programming at Harmony House Shelter.

A heartfelt thank you to the generous donors who not only won this auction item, but also raised an additional $1,000 to support children and youth summer activities.

We are also grateful to the City of Ottawa firefighters and Farm Boy for donating beautiful baskets in support of this event. Your kindness is helping create opportunities for children and youth to play, connect, and enjoy meaningful summer experiences.

Alongside initiatives like the golf tournament, third-party fundraisers, and other community-led efforts, this BBQ is helping make summer activities possible for the children we serve.

Thank you to supporters who become heroes for Harmony House! 🩵💜

Harmony House Community Kitchen 🥗🍛

Thank you to C'est Bon Ottawa for creating space for connection, learning, and shared meals with our residents. 💜🩵

Update: As the season begins to shift from spring to summer, our most-needed items are changing too. 🌷☀️

This season, we are adding Personal Care Essentials to help women and families at Harmony House Shelter feel supported with dignity, comfort, and care.

Our NEW items include women’s razors, body lotion, sunscreen, regular-sized shampoo and conditioner sets, and regular-sized shampoo and conditioner sets for Black hair.

These everyday items help families prepare for warmer days while feeling seen, cared for, and supported.

Your kindness helps bring care into this new season.

Today, the Supreme Court of Canada released a landmark decision recognizing intimate partner violence as its own form of legal harm under Canadian civil law.

The ruling acknowledges that abuse is not limited to physical violence. Intimate partner violence can also include patterns of coercive and controlling behaviour such as emotional abuse, intimidation, isolation, financial control, threats, humiliation, and surveillance.

The Court recognized that these patterns can have profound and lasting impacts on a person’s safety, autonomy, dignity, and wellbeing.

This decision is being viewed as an important step in strengthening public understanding of intimate partner violence and the realities many survivors face behind closed doors.

It also reflects growing conversations across Canada about coercive control, survivor protection, and the need for systems that better recognize the full impact of abuse.

Sources: Supreme Court of Canada, CBC News, Canadian Lawyer Magazine, CityNews.

“I Needed to Be That Person That I Didn’t Have”

As we close National Victims and Survivors of Crime Week, we honour and reflect on the strength, resilience, and courage of those who have experienced violence and trauma, while reaffirming the importance of creating communities where survivors are heard, supported, and empowered.

With great courage, Colette Martin shared her story with us as a survivor, advocate, and compassionate voice for women navigating violence, trauma, and healing.

Originally from the Acadian community of Baie-Sainte-Anne, New Brunswick, Colette has transformed her lived experience with domestic violence and PTSD into a mission rooted in hope, education, and support for others.

Driven by the desire to become the person she once needed, Colette has dedicated her life to raising awareness of domestic violence and advocating for safer communities. Her work helped lead to the passing of New Brunswick’s Bill 17, the Disclosure to Protect Against Domestic Violence Act, in 2022 — a meaningful step toward protecting those at risk.

Through sharing her story with courage and honesty, including in the documentary , Colette continues to remind survivors that healing is possible and that they are not alone.

Colette’s story reminds us of the importance of being the support we once needed. At Harmony House, Ottawa’s only second-stage shelter for 40 years, this has been at the heart of our work in the city — walking alongside women and children as they move from crisis toward safety, healing, stability, and hope.💜🏘️🩵

Only 11 days until race weekend!

Every step forward begins with support.

With Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend just around the corner, Harmony House Shelter is inviting our community to take one step for women and children rebuilding their lives after violence.

Your gift to Steps of Hope can help provide practical support, essential items, children’s programming, and moments of stability as families move toward safety, healing, and independence.

Take one step with us today. Walk, Run or Donate to Steps of Hope:
https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/stepsofhope

For the past four years, Judy and her daughter Lauren have supported Harmony House through Mother’s Day initiatives and six fundraising efforts, bringing love, care, financial contributions and encouragement to women and children at Harmony House.

Their kindness goes beyond essential items — it creates a ripple effect of compassion in their community.

Lauren began supporting Harmony House at just 14 years old. Now 18, her heart for giving continues to shine. As she added toys to her donation, she shared: “Happy Mom, Happy Kids.”🧸🪁🩵💜

Women and children will feel so loved and cared for through your beautiful baskets, thoughtfully filled with kindness and support. 🧺

This Mother’s Day, enjoy lunch with a purpose. 🌷🍽️

We are grateful to Thali Restaurant and Coconut Lagoon for supporting Harmony House through a meaningful Mother’s Day initiative.

On Mother’s Day, $5 from each guest who comes in for lunch at Thali or Coconut Lagoon will be donated to Harmony House, helping support women and children as they rebuild their lives in safety and dignity.

Gather with the mothers, mother figures, caregivers, mentors, and special women in your life, and make your lunch part of something meaningful. 💐🥘

Thank you to Chef Joe, Thali, and Coconut Lagoon for this generous support.

Today, we remember.

On Red Dress Day, we honour the lives of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirit people.

As we mark this day during Mental Health Week, we recognize the lasting impact of trauma, grief, and systemic harm. Healing is not individual—it is collective.

At Harmony House, we stand in solidarity.
We listen. We learn. We honour. ❤️

+