Family Transition Place is commemorating 25 years in the community.

Although the fact domestic violence still exists after 25 years is not a cause for celebration, the FTP staff and board are celebrating the fact that the organization has been here to offer safety, support and hope to all those who have needed it since 1985.

Throughout those years, FTP has gained the reputation as a forward-thinking organization that continually worked to adapt to the changing needs of the community.

In its early years the shelter operated under the name “Hillside House” and provided a safe haven for women and their children who had experienced abuse. After three years, the agency expanded their services and located the new counseling program, called the “Family Violence Treatment Centre”, in its own location. Adapting again to the changing needs of the community, additional services were offered, including Second Stage Housing and Sexual Assault Counselling.

Following a successful Capital Campaign in 1997, and with support from the Province of Ontario and the generous community, the agency restructured once again and proudly relocated all services under one roof in a beautiful new building on Bredin Parkway. Individual program names were dropped and Family Transition Place was re-born.

Since then the agency has served thousands of individuals from the Caledon and Dufferin Communities, and has continued to evolve and grow. In the early 2000’s, again recognizing a need in the community, FTP expanded their services once more to include new Violence Prevention Programs designed to teach youth skills and behaviours to develop ‘healthy relationships”.

FTP has long realized that lasting change comes from addressing the root of the problem. As part of their Violence Prevention efforts, Family Transition Place also offers Domestic Violence Awareness & Prevention training to both the public and private sectors. “Education is the key to making a difference.” said Norah Kennedy, FTP’s Executive Director.

Family Transition Place is welcoming the entire community to unite and commemorate 25 years of service today (Thursday) from 4 to 7 p.m.. You may join the FTP staff and volunteers for a tour of the facility and a community BBQ as their way of saying thank you for all the support the community has given the agency over the years.

“We would like to extend an invite to the entire community, our agency partners, past clients and staff and our loyal donors and volunteers who have helped keep our doors open, to those that have needed us the most”, remarked Stacey Tarrant, Manager of Development & Community Relations. “We couldn’t have done without you”.

If you plan to attend, please RSVP by calling 519-942-4122 ext 444.

Family Transition Place has a 25 year history and commitment to working towards ending violence and supporting those who have experienced violence, by providing safe shelter and counselling to those women and children who need it the most.

Last year, 162 women and 103 children from our community found refuge in our shelter. 1,023 men, women and children received support through our counselling and outreach programs.

Over 6,000 youth received their Violence Prevention training, learning new skills and developing attitudes that will allow them to build healthy respectful relationships. Family Transition Place relies on community support through donations and sponsorships, to ensure its programs maintain their high standard of excellence and that Violence Prevention programs continue to be available to the youth and communities of Caledon and Dufferin.

Family Transition Place has been proudly serving the community by promoting safety and mutual respect by providing:

• Safe shelter for abused women and their children

• Emergency Transportation & Safety Planning

• 24 hour crisis/information line Support and counselling so that abused individuals may build lives free from violence and abuse.