Women’s primary concern when seeking out help from and arriving at The Redwood is safety for themselves and their children. The Redwood recognizes this vital need and mobilizes immediate care to meet all safety and well-being concerns by providing the following services:

Ongoing Crisis Intervention

The Redwood Resident Service Counselors work in partnership with women on an ongoing basis to respond to all immediate needs regarding the safety and wellbeing of women and their children.

24-hour telephone crisis counseling

Staff are available at all times to provide counseling assistance and referral service to women on the 24-hour crisis line. To access this free and confidential service, please call 416-533-8538.

Advocacy, external referral, and accompaniment

Our Resident Services Counselors work first and foremost as advocates on behalf of their clients and their children. This often involves referral to agency partners to ensure the family is connected with all required supports in the community. Our Counselors also provide support via accompaniment to meetings, including legal, child-care and health-care appointments.

Services in your language

The Redwood coordinates interpretation services for women through partnership with Barbra Schlifer Interpretation Services. Women access this service during The Redwood programming, appointments with her Resident Services Counselor, and meetings in the community. Language Line is also accessed by staff for interpretation on the crisis line.

Secure Shelter

The Redwood maintains the security of it’s residence by ensuring confidentiality of the location, 24/7 video surveillance, and alarmed entrance doors.

Necessities of Life

While at The Redwood, families are provided with 3 meals a day, a care package at their intake, including hygiene necessities and bedding, and weekly child-care supplies. Women who are eligible also receive a weekly Personal Needs Allowance.

Harm Reduction and Safety Assessments

The Redwood provides a trauma-informed and client-centered harm reduction approach that aims to meet women “where they are at” in terms of their substance use. The Redwood supports women with minimizing the risks that may be involved in their substance use and customizing their case plan so they are able to benefit from The Redwood’s services.