Leaving an abusive relationship can be a difficult and dangerous step, especially when there is a housing crisis. That’s where St. Thomas Elgin Second Stage Housing (STESSH) comes in, offering women and their children a safe place to rebuild their lives.

After escaping abuse, women may struggle to find their next step following a stay in a short-term shelter. That’s where Second Stage Housing come in, offering women longer-term lodging and support to regain their independence. Program care coordinator Natalie Ingram explains, “We are that second step from a shelter type environment where it’s short-term. Our goal is to help women move forward and find a place they feel safe. Everything is really based on what that woman needs specifically.”

Domestic violence crosses all socioeconomic boundaries, and leaving can often plunge women into poverty. Even those from comfortable backgrounds may find themselves struggling to start over, relying on government assistance for the first time. SESSH helps them navigate these challenges and rebuild their lives.

Children, too, need support in processing the trauma of living through abuse. Family support worker Shelby Marks helps children at STESSH learn to express their feelings in healthy ways, guiding them toward emotional recovery. “A lot of the children’s program focuses on them learning how to deal with their feelings in a positive way. Some of them have a lot of anger, based on what they’ve seen or heard living in a home with abusive relationships.”

Without organizations like STESSH, many women would remain trapped in abusive relationships. By offering shelter, guidance, and emotional support, STESSH helps women and their children find hope and stability.