Project Esperance

A Comprehensive Community Service Delivery Model For The Prevention Of Violence Against Women And Children Based On Women's Empowerment



Objectives

In 1986 Project Esperance was formed under the name "Hope House," and incorporated as Project Esperance/Project Hope Non Profit Corporation under Canadian federal charter on January 19th, 1987. Esperance means "hope." We are dedicated to fostering and nurturing peaceful family life, the protection and well-being of children, and support for women and children in crisis due to abusive relationships.

Development of the Esperance Model

Since before its incorporation, members of the Board of Directors of Esperance have been successfully engaged in developing housing and support services for women and children. In late 1989, after an extensive search, a potential housing development site was located in the east end of the City of Toronto. After analysis and study of the neighborhood, the Daniels Community Housing Corporation was contracted to assist with the development of the site for housing.

In August 1989, Project Esperance received funding approval to provide residential accommodation for women of low and modest income under a Federal-Provincial Non-profit housing program.

"Esperance," a women's supportive housing project, provides 111 apartments , consisting of one, two and three bedroom units. The project provides rent-geared-to-income housing for a diverse community of women, including the elderly, youth, disabled women, and women who have survived family violence. It is our philosophy that women and children who want lives that are free of violence and economic disadvantage should be provided with a supportive environment in a fully integrated and safe community.

The Esperance multi-residential development was completed in August 1992, and has been fully occupied ever since. Esperance was developed as a comprehensive community service delivery model for the prevention of violence against women and children, based on women's empowerment.


Goals

  • To carry on a non-profit charitable corporation.

  • To foster and nurture peaceful family life, and the protection and well being of women and children.

  • To provide physical, psychological, moral and spiritual assistance to individuals, families and children in crisis as a result of abusive behavior.

  • To develop and encourage awareness and understanding of abusive behavior within and without the family.

  • To provide advocacy, support and counseling.

  • To provide and operate housing accommodation within and without public space, primarily for persons of low and modest income.

    Housing

    Esperance provides 111 homes for women using a facilitative, or self-help model. This model relies on participation from the residents of Esperance at all levels of decision making.

    Neighborhood/Geographic Area Served

    Esperance women's housing is located in Toronto's east end, in the Woodbine-Beaches neighborhood. The service area is Metropolitan Toronto.

    Tenant Population

    Our housing model consists of 111 apartment units in an 8 story building, along with play space, a common area and 2 program rooms. Most of the Esperance population is comprised of women and children who have experienced violence. In keeping with our objectives, priority tenancy is granted to those who are escaping violence.

    Esperance has a minimum population of approximately 210 people; over half of the children are under the age of 16.

    The residents of Esperance come from varied backgrounds, including North American, Latin American, Chinese, Caribbean, Asian, Filipino, African and First Nations women, women with disabilities and elderly women. The majority of women are economically challenged. Over 60% of the women and their children do not use English or French as their first language.

    The average annual family income at Esperance is $13,400; the majority of the tenants are employed.


    Services, Programs And Activities

    In addition to housing, Project Esperance continues to provide community support, advocacy and education for the prevention of violence against women and children. We provides the following services and programs, in collaboration with tenants and the community of Metropolitan Toronto:

  • Information and referral (e.g.. social assistance, legal assistance)

  • Translation and interpretation*

  • Urban survival/life skills (e.g.. help with filling out forms )*

  • Counseling, inclusive of the following areas: crisis, employment, family and group counseling

  • Parenting*

  • Support for single mothers e.g.. with shopping, budgeting, breast feeding*

  • Self-help and advocacy

  • Community and Economic Development, e.g.. skills development, self-employment*

  • Programming for children, youth and parents such as an After School Program, Teen club, Mums and Tots Drop In.*

  • Educational and employment Programs *

  • Resource center

  • Culturally-based recreational activities*

  • Clothing distribution

  • Help with establishing new homes - household items, furnishings

  • Emergency food through food banks or local food stores

    *N.B. These services and activities are no longer provided due to government cut backs .


    Demand for Our Programs

    The following will provide the reader with an overview of the programs and services which are or have been offered through Project Esperance since the establishment of our supportive housing model.

  • 110 people use our services on a regular basis

  • 20 Children used the After School Program twice weekly*

  • 10 to 15 youth used the teen club twice weekly*

  • 7-10 women used the counseling service weekly*

  • Referrals are provided on a daily basis

  • 20 children participated in the Healing Circle, an Award-Winning conflict and mediation program for children*

  • 20 women took part in employment and educational programs*

  • 16 to 20 women and their young children used the Mums and Tots program twice weekly*

  • 16 to 20 women participated in assertiveness training programs*

  • 15 to 18 women took Wendo programs*

  • 90 to 100 women participate in the clothing distribution programs

  • 50 households took advantage of the Christmas help

  • 70 household received donated toys

    *N.B. These services and activities are no longer provided due to government cut backs. Esperance still attempts to provide these essential and efficient services for women and children through collaboration with other service organizations and non-profit groups.


    Join A Revolution in Services for Women and Children!

    Esperance was developed as a comprehensive community service delivery model for the prevention of violence against women and children.

    We warmly and proudly invite the women's community to share in the success of our work.

    How YOU Can Get In On The Action

    Choose a response to this information closest to yours - act now!

  • "A non-profit in Toronto has an incredible service model for the prevention of violence against women and children." - Spread the Word!


  • "This group wants to help even more women . . . the women in my community sure could use something like this. How did they do it?" - Get in Touch!


  • "These women could really use some help to keep it happening." - Send a Donation!


    Our Wish List


  • Money for Programs!!

  • Computers & Printers

  • Business, Educational and Play Equipment

  • Household Furnishings and Equipment

  • Sewing Machines

  • Quality Food and Clothing


    Contacting Us
    Address

    Project Esperance/Project Hope Non-Profit Corporation

    Toronto, Ontario, Canada M4C 5R9

    Tel: (416) 694-6391

    Fax: (416) 694-0571

    Email: willi@web.net

    Executive Committee


    President: Willi Nolan

    - Our founding mother, kind of feisty; she's on a mission!


    Vice-President: Margaret Haynes

    Our people person - solid as a rock, and don't even try to fool her!


    Secretary/Treasurer: Wendy Devine

    - Details, details . . . we're so lucky to have someone this good at details!


    Executive Director: Birgitte Robertson

    - She's so amazing, and so overworked, so contact someone else unless you REALLY need to!


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