Emergency Shelter Services
Who we are
At Street Haven at the Crossroads, our Emergency Shelter Housing Program provides a safe haven and critical support for women experiencing homelessness in Toronto. Open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, our low-barrier emergency shelter offers immediate access to safety, warmth, and care for up to 50 women each night.
We understand that the women we serve often face complex and overlapping challenges, including homelessness, substance use, mental health concerns, trauma, and experiences of gender-based violence. That’s why our program is rooted in a trauma-informed, client-centered approach, ensuring that each woman is treated with dignity, respect, and compassion.
Women arriving at Street Haven’s Emergency Shelter receive:
- A safe, clean, and welcoming place to sleep
- Nutritious meals and snacks
- Access to showers, hygiene products, and basic clothing
- On-site support workers and crisis intervention
- Referrals to medical care, mental health services, and addiction recovery programs
- Pathways to transitional housing and long-term stability
Our shelter acts not just as a place of refuge, but as a critical first step toward recovery, healing, and empowerment. We work collaboratively with each woman to help her navigate her unique journey — whether that means finding permanent housing, reconnecting with health supports, or simply taking the next right step forward.
If you or someone you know needs emergency shelter, or if you’re looking to support our mission, we welcome you to learn more about how Street Haven is helping women move from crisis to confidence.
Services
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A huge thank-you to Sandra (People’s Warden) and the York Group Executive Committee at St. James Cathedral for their generous donation to Street Haven. Because of their support, our seniors program — where 10–15 women meet weekly for arts & crafts, conversation circles, field trips and shared meals — can keep offering a safe, welcoming place to connect and belong.
Our seniors made a beautiful handmade thank-you board that we were honoured to present at the church. Partnerships like this — between churches and local nonprofits — help our city’s most isolated women feel seen and valued. Thank you, Sandra and everyone at St. James Cathedral.
And this time, our team got to be the teachers!
Our team had the pleasure of welcoming @Agincourt Community Services Association for an 'study immersion session' and honestly, it was one of those visits that reminds you why this work matters so much. Their staff showed up with curiosity, compassion, and a genuine desire to learn.
What truly stood out was seeing how our team’s everyday work and dedication inspired their learning. Moments like these, coming together and sharing what we know, are what make our sector stronger.
A huge thank you to the ACSA team for spending the day with us. Our Street Haven staff know their stuff, do it brilliantly, and we’re proud to share that expertise with others.
Together, we turn compassion into action.
Learn more / Give: streethaven.org
(Please tag a partner you’re grateful for—let’s celebrate community!)
#GivingTuesday #CommunityMatters #WomenSupportingWomen #EndGBV #Homelessness #MentalHealth #AddictionsRecovery #GiveBack #Toronto
#GivingTuesday #supportwomen #StreetHaven #communitysupport
Last week, Grace joined the Zonta Club of Toronto for a learning webinar on Intimate Partner Violence (IPV)—sharing Street Haven’s frontline perspective on housing, homelessness, safety planning, and how our community can help end gender-based violence in Toronto.
Watch the webinar: Scan the QR in the graphic or click here → https://www.facebook.com/share/v/17Lb6gKJiJ/?mibextid=wwXIfr
Community in action: A heartfelt thank-you to Zonta Club of Toronto and member Nita McCown for donating 120 hand-knit hats for the women we serve—warmth that’s practical, personal, and powerful.
With gratitude:
• Zonta Club of Toronto — for inviting us, truly caring about women in our community, and supporting local charities through fundraising, in-kind donations, and programs like the Orange Bag Project.
• Nita McCown — for the beautiful hats.
• Grace Kolawole — for your leadership and a compelling, compassionate presentation.




