Tamara's House Residence
About Tamara's House Residence
The Residence program, the first of its kind in Canada, offers opportunities for women of all backgrounds to work intensely on child sexual abuse (CSA) issues. This unique approach is based on the principles of self-directed, holistic healing within a community home setting without the demands or distractions of home life. The women learn to overcome the secrecy and silence that was part of their abuse, and they learn appropriate boundaries and communications skills. The work is achieved through education, mentoring, individual and group support, life skills development, and multiple opportunities for women to practice what they have learned. The model is based on the principle that women have the capacity to reclaim their power and make the changes necessary for a healthy and happy life, while ensuring the cycle of violence is not repeated with their children. Because most abuse takes place in homes with a known perpetrator, Tamara's House was designed to provide a home like setting equipped with a kitchen, dining room, bathroom, and laundry, and it provides an alternative example of "home" that is a safe and nurturing place.
Admission to the Residence
If you are interested in coming into the residence, you can call Tamara's House to inquire or make an appointment with the Intake Worker,( 683-8667 ) from Monday to Thursday 8:00 am to 4:00 pm. An appointment will be set up for you to come to Tamara's House to complete an intake package and to tour the residence. If you are from out of town, the Intake Worker can provide a telephone intake and fax you the paperwork. Paperwork includes an Inquiry Information Form, Intake Assessment Form, Professional Supporter's Assessment Form from at least 2-3 people who know you, and an Authorization for Release of Information, which will require your signature and that of a witness.
Once all paperwork has been completed and references have been checked around safety issues, commitment, and the willingness to explore impacts of abuse, the Intake Worker will book an arrival date for you. You can pick a suitable time frame for a respite period of 2 days to 2 weeks according to your needs of the program.
The criteria for coming into the residence are:- that the woman is a survivor of child sexual abuse who is at a point of wanting or needing to focus on healing from the abuse;
- that she is over eighteen years of age;
- has a fixed address;
- if addiction issues are present a support plan is in place for the stay;
- is not currently living in an unsafe environment (such as domestic abuse);
- is not a danger to herself or others.
