Scarborough Access Centre Project

In June 2005, WACT hosted a two-day planning forum called, "Innovative Models for Responding to Woman Abuse" in Scarborough. Over 300 practitioners from many sectors attended. The forum proved to be a catalyst for action in the community and in the fall of 2005 the Scarborough Access Project was formally initiated by a group of service providers.

The project brought together existing Scarborough agencies and organizations that will identify ways to make their services more accessible to women and their children who are seeking connections to a range of services that respond to their needs.

Objectives

The objectives of the project include:

To provide opportunities for families who have experienced domestic abuse to become connected to a range of services and resources.
To raise public awareness about domestic abuse and promote systemic change.
To involve women in action around issues of abuse.
To promote and improve working relationships between sectors and agencies in the community response to domestic abuse.

Key Activities

The project included two phases. In the first phase, "mandated" agencies will be linked to community-based services. In the second phase, an accessible and welcoming multi-service center will be established where existing agencies will provide staffing on a part-time basis. Services will include counselling, support groups, community outreach and education. The project will focus on developing partnerships with over 25 community agencies.