December 2011 | Dawn House Women’s Shelter | 613-545-1379
Annual Report
Dawn House
Women’s
Shelter Annual
Report 20102011
Contents

Dawn House Vision, Mission and Values

History of Dawn House

Current list of staff and Board of Director

Acknowledgements- our supporters

Message from the Co-Executive Director

Message from Chair of the Board

Nominations to the Board- New Members

Conclusion- Commitment from Board of
Directors, Executive Director and staff to
continue to provide emergency
transitional housing, ongoing support,
advocacy, housing searches, life skills
programming and counselling support to
the women and children in our community
1
OUR VISION
OUR VALUES
All women and their children live in safe,
affordable, accessible housing.
We believe:

OUR MISSION

Dawn House Women’s Shelter operates
from feminist principles to support and
empower homeless women and
their children by providing temporary
shelter, counselling and advocacy.



Safe and affordable housing is a
fundamental human right.
Eradicating homelessness is
everyone’s responsibility.
Homeless women and their children
are entitled to be treated with
empathy and dignity, and without
judgment.
Diversity and inclusion should be
promoted.
Women and their children have a
right to safety, security,
confidentiality and informed
consent.
Co-operation and collaboration with other organizations and community groups are
essential to our work
History
Board of Directors 2011-2012
Chair of the Board
Katherine Bauder
Director
Kalanthe Khaiat
Director
Director
Acting Executive
Director
Lauren McNicol
Shirley Jin
Violet Acevedo
Front line staff-Counsellors
Counsellor
( fulltime)
Christine Demonsky
Counsellor
( full time)
Heather Humber
Counsellor
( full time)
Kim O Neil
Counsellor
(part time)
Carol Little
Counsellor
(casual)
Randi Kennedy
Counsellor ( casual)
Arlene Bush
Counsellor ( casual)
Counsellor ( casual)
Counsellor ( casual)
April Wood
Alicia Howell
Jennifer McCallum
History
Dawn House Women’s Shelter was founded in Kingston, Ontario in 1986 in response to a
housing crisis in the City of Kingston. A diverse group of community individuals and
organizations contributed to the set up and establishment of the shelter as a non-profit
charitable organization that would provide a 24-hour crisis line and emergency shelter,
support, and resources for women aged 16 and over, with and without children. Within its
first few months of operation, the shelter was consistently 80-100% full, and this trend
remains the same today. Since its inception in 1986 over 6200 women and children have
called Dawn House their home at one time or another.
Since the late 1980’s, the emergency shelter system has grown in Ontario. Today, there are
6965 emergency shelter beds for the homeless in the province. Only 834 of those beds or
12% are specifically for homeless women and their children. Dawn House believes
that homeless women and their children need to have a 24-hour shelter to reside in.
In it’s over 20 years of operation; Dawn House has seen the faces of homeless women,
with and without children, change. Their problems have been very similar over the years
but the intensity of their problems has increased significantly. This has largely been due to
the lack of permanent, safe and affordable housing, reductions to health and social service
programs, and poverty. Consequently, the needs of emergency shelter residents have
become more complex because of provincial and federal funding cuts and policy changes.
Dawn House provides care and compassion to residents, helping them through their crisis
time, and providing resources to assist them in finding appropriate, long-term housing.
The staff implement in-house programs such as life skills, up-to-date information about
the Kingston housing situation, and one-to-one counselling to help women and their
children cope with the myriad of challenges that accompany the crisis of homelessness.
Dawn House works with the city and with other non-profit organizations in the community
to assist individuals, and with the municipal government to work toward s the provision of
more affordable housing in Kingston.
2
Acknowledgements
The services that Dawn House Women’s Shelter provides to women and their children in
need of housing and support, 24 hours a day 365 days a year are made possible through
the generous support of the following:
* The many generous private donors
The City of Kingston
Queens Soul Food
Canada Helps .org
Canadian Tire
Wolfe Island Bakery
Kingston Y.M.C.A
Nexen INC
United Way
Rona
Nerds On site
Local Food Banks
Curves
Martha’s Table
Wizard Services
Zellers- HBC-The Bay
Ministry of Community and Social Services
Members and Volunteers
Loyalist Community Sharing Centre
Edith Rankin UCW
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation
The Sisters of Providence
Alma Mater Society Queens University
St. Lawrence College
Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing
Elementary Teachers Federation
Loving Spoonful
Human Resource and Development Canada
Home Depot Match Program
The Religious Hospitallers of St. Joseph
Queens SPGS students
Queens Medical Variety Night
Canadian Women’s Foundation
The Works
Community Foundation for Kingston and Area
Medical Variety Night Queens University
Arts and Science Undergraduate Society
Queens University Undergraduate and Graduate student fees
We thank you for your continued support!
How can you support Dawn House
3
You can support the shelter by...
Dawn House Women’s
Shelter
302 Victoria St. • Kingston, ON •
Canada, K7L 3Z1
613-545-1379
613-545-4071
dhouse@kingston.net
All women and their children
live in safe, affordable,
accessible housing.
Find us on the Web:
www.dawnhouse.net


Volunteering
Purchasing a CD... to get your copy of this limited edition
anniversary collection of original music by Kingston
musicians please contact the shelter
Calling or sending a letter to your local and provincial politicians urging them to deal with
the problem of homelessness by providing our community with affordable housing for the
unemployed or low income earners. We need to ensure that our elected representatives
are aware of the problem and that they see it as a priority.
Wish List
Dawn House is always in need of donations. Our wish list includes items that the shelter
itself can use and items that will be given to women and children when they leave the
shelter to set up their new homes. Donations can be dropped off at the shelter or you can
call 613-545-1379. Thank you in advance for thinking of Dawn House!
We are only accepting donation on Tuesdays and Saturdays from 10am to 8pm. All
donations will be accepted except for books or stuffed animal and limited furniture and
appliances due to space.









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
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Clothing for women of all ages
Clothing for boys and girls (ages infant to 16)
Household items
Gift cards in any denomination for food, clothing, house ware items ( Wal-Mart,
Home depot, staples, Zellers, Food basics etc)
Non-perishable food items such as coffee, tuna, pasta and peanut butter
Women’s personal hygiene products
Office supplies such as pens, paper and envelopes
Bed linens, blankets and towels
Women’s and children’s pyjamas and nightgowns ( small to extra large sizes)
Cash donations- can be accepted at any time and an official tax receipt will be
given
Building or renovation material
Canadian Tire money (we can purchase many items needed at the shelter at
Canadian Tire)
Donating on Canadahelps.org
Please consider donating your HBC Rewards points to the shelter. We can redeem these
and buy basic needs items for the shelter.
Go to customer service at any HBC store or simply call 1-800-844-8131 and press "0" to
speak with a representative. You will need your HBC Rewards card, Our number for the
transfer is 958 473 577
Message from the Co-Executive Director
4
For the last 2 years, I had the privilege of working at Dawn House in various roles, most recently as the CoExecutive Director. I have seen much growth, uncertainty and a will to succeed and keep this established, well
respected shelter open for another 20 years. The many challenges the shelter has faced: instability, discrepancies
and ongoing governance issues has not tarnished my hope that Dawn House will once again thrive. The ongoing
support from the staff, residents and the board has fuelled me to want do more, to help them reach their goals
and to advocate and support the women and children in need in our community. As a single mother, I value the
support and advocacy Dawn House provides, in a non-judgmental and supportive atmosphere to the women and
children it has helped over the years. This will be my last term with the shelter; I will be perusing my
undergraduate degree and focusing on my other career. I will help to facilitate and introduce a new management
structure with the hiring of a new Executive Director for 2012 and lead positions.
In 2010 we receive over 3400 crisis calls, and were at full 10 bed capacity for over 80% over the year. The future of
Dawn House rests with proving itself once again. This is nothing new to the shelter since it opened its doors over
20 years ago, the funding has changed, the board has changed, the staff, the management structure has changed,
but one thing that has not changed is the shelters need in the community. The 10 beds that are provided 24 hours
a day 365 days a year, that is Dawn House strength, the “home” like shelter that accepts women and their children
from all walks of life, struggling to find affordable housing has not changed. The advocacy and feminist approach,
the support services and dedicated staff that has not changed. The 100 year old building stands strong, with some
TLC and renovations it can thrive once again...
The struggle...
Dawn House Women’s
Shelter
The need to develop formalized life skill programming in a safe, clean and
"staying at dawn house was
accessible space is one of the main goals and objectives for the upcoming
one of the best things that
year. The structure of the shelter is limited in physical space to add any
has happened for me and
addition to the shelter is not an option, but we continue to apply for
my daughter, we came here
funding and grants to improve the existing space and bathrooms. With the
with nothing and left with
approval of the Canadian Women’s foundation grant this year we were
not only secured housing
able to fully renovate the kitchen. The generosity of labor and time from
but also ongoing support,
RONA in Kingston gave the shelter some much need rejuvenation.
the staff were kind and
The kitchen is the heart and gathering place of any home, and this hold
helpful and made us feel
true at the shelter as well. Our plan is to renovate the basement and
welcomed from day one".
create a resource room for women and children to use on daily basis for
(Current resident who just
housing searches, resume development, job searches, educational
found secured housing)
resources, and access to other community agencies and networks for
current and past residents. Desktop computers (4), desks and a printer are just some of the items needed, with
the current approval of the CFKA grant we were awarded $ 4000 towards the material needed for the resource
room .The development of an attainable and comprehensive action plan has been a struggle this year. With the
increase cost of maintaining the 100 year old shelter, little fundraising the change in board and lack of board
members as well as not having a consistent Executive Director over the last 7 years the goals and targets set in the
last strategic plan were not obtained.
Looking ahead......
With the Cities agency review this year and recommendations, it highlighted the areas that Dawn House needed to
improve on. With a concentrated effort from the board, staff and Co-Executive Director the changing needs of the
shelter and funding expectations as well as the needs of the community and residents, this will be the main focus
for improvement over the next 12 months. Relying heavily on the CHPP funding (half of our current budget), daily
per diem (varies depending on how many women are in the shelter at any time) and ministry subsidies, sustaining
and functioning within budget has been difficult. Dawn House also needs to increase its fundraising and volunteer
capacity, in the wake of instability in the last 7 years it is critical to get support from the community. We also
relying heavily on private donations and would like to expand donations to a corporate level by requesting and
obtaining corporate sponsorship for food, toiletries and renovations needed at the shelter (plumbing, electrical).
Message
the Co-Executive
Director….
5
office
supplies,from
computers
etc) We are confident
with continued support from our funders, the community
and
private donors we can hopefully achieve these goals and meet the expectation of the action plan.
The introduction of formalized programming needs to be implemented to continue to receive CHPP funding for
2012. As funding permits the gradual increase in life skills programs that can be accessible to the women and their
children and will include:
 Counseling for women and their children as well as case management on an individualized basis
 Group activities and facilitation
 More programs for ex residents and a drop in resource room
 Literacy and educational support
 Clothing, basic need items and housing supplies for women and children

Supplies to assist women when they moved into their new homes ( create move out kits to provide them
with the basic necessity item tooth brush, soap, toiletries, warm blankets, feminine hygiene products,
sheets etc.)

Food preparation – healthy meal planning and food purchasing on a low budget
 Community kitchen implementation
 Budgeting and bill payment support
 Health cards and identification support- lost or stolen cards
 Job searches and resume writing
 Applying to Ontario works, ODSP etc- stabilizing income
 Increase in community agencies in services to be established on a weekly and monthly basis- addictions,
mental health, budgeting and supportive housing
 Conflict resolution and stress management programming directly related to women’s issues
 Effective parenting and child rearing programs for single women
These are some of the women and children geared life skill programming that has been implemented at the
shelter and we will continue to broaden and formalize over the next year.
I wanted to take this opportunity to thank the funders, the board of directors past and present, as well as the staff
and residents for their heartfelt support, willingness to teach me, guide me and give me an opportunity to give
back to my community.
Sincerely,
Violet Acevedo
Co-Executive Director
Dawn House Women’s Shelter
“We think sometimes that poverty is only being hungry, naked and homeless. The poverty of being unwanted,
unloved and uncared for is the greatest poverty. We must start in our own homes to remedy this kind of poverty.”
Mother Teresa, social worker
“Safe and affordable housing is a fundamental human right”
Message from Chair of the Board
6
We have had another busy year at Dawn House, and have certainly had our challenges. One of our co-ed's
Tamarah Klienschmidt has left the organization to pursue her career in another city closer to her family. Once
again it has left Violet and the shelter with one Co-Executive Director, but Violet has stepped up to the plate and
has taken on full duties as needed. Her time commitment, dedication and work ethic has been recognized by the
board, staff and residents; we thank her for all her hard work over the last 2 years and support her on her new
endeavors. Thank you once again Violet, for going far and beyond the call of duty to try to keep Dawn House
running smoothly. I also want to thank the staff for working closely with Violet as a team to help the shelter meet
its mandate.
We worked very hard this year on potentially moving the shelter to a larger, safer and accessible facility, but
unfortunately it was not feasible at this time. Violet continues to get donations and working on renovating the
shelter further. The kitchen has been redone, and new living room furniture has been donated, this has made
Dawn House not only more appealing and cleaner for our residents but has brought back some much needed life
into the shelter.
We are presently looking for donations in material and labor so we can renovate the downstairs basement to
accommodate the residents and the need for additional space needed for some of the daytime programming, to
meet the health and safety regulations as well as to accommodate residents and staff for meetings and to develop
a much needed resource room. We have gotten several quotes for the many required repairs and renovations and
it will cost approximately $25,000, so we have another great challenge before us to get the donations needed.
Dawn House Women’s
Shelter
"I have been in and out of
shelters for so many years,
Dawn House is one of the
only shelters where I felt
supported and someone
cared about me, I wanted
to thank the staff and ED
for listening and helping me
finally find a place to call
home."(Resident who has
frequented the shelter for
the last 5 years)
Many of our Board Members have resigned for various reasons. Some were at
the end of their terms and others had other work commitments that made it
difficult to attend meetings. This leaves us once again with recruiting new
board members, an ongoing concern to stabilize the organization. A strong
governing, qualified board is the top priority presently and for the upcoming
year.
The CHPP Funding had been given to Dawn House specifically for daytime
programming by the City of Kingston many years ago, with the expectation that
all staff would contribute to the implementation. It is half of our funding and
with the recent shelter review; it has highlighted the areas the shelter needs to
improve to meet the programming and funding requirements to continue to
receive this funding after April 31 2012. We are working diligently and striving
to continue to make improvements to meet the funder expectations and
provide consistent programs and life skills needed for the women and their
children to successfully get housing in our community and maintain it.
We have had many challenges over the last few years but with the
commitment and co-operation of the board, staff, our funders and community
support we are all working towards re stabilizing Dawn House and meeting the needs of the community.
Kathy Bauder
Chair of the Board – Dawn House Women’s Shelter
Dawn House Women’s Shelter Kingston Inc – Nominations, new members and conclusion
7
Nominations to the Board



Sarine Willis-O Connor
Lou McBride
Susan Morgoc
Brief background of new board member
Susan Morgoc
I decided to apply to the Board of Dawn House because I believe in its mandate and principles. As a worker in the
field of homelessness I am painfully aware of the vulnerability of homeless women and the shortage of supports to
accommodate them. It is my opinion that losing Dawn House would be a loss to women who so desperately need
help.
I have now been with Ryandale Shelter for the Homeless for almost 14 years. Six of those years were spent as
Front Line support in the shelter. In May 2005 I became the Transitional Support Worker at the Ryandale
Transition House. At the Transition House I am responsible for one on one counselling, holding life skill sessions
weekly, arranging and presiding over resident meetings.
Prior to joining Ryandale I worked as a Welfare Officer in a rural area, a teaching assistant in a maximum security
facility for young offenders, and doing outreach on behalf of a Lutheran Church.
I hold numerous certificates in areas related to homelessness, poverty, and drug addiction. I have a BA and a Hon.
Degree from Queen's University.
Conclusion….
Dawn House always has and will continue to support women and their children in the community as long as
funding and support allows. The dedicated board, staff and Executive Director will focus on improving the overall
services currently provided to the residents, while seeking more funding options to help support the ever growing
need to improve the physical space of the shelter, sustain services and solidifying its future.
We hope the community and our funders will continue to support Dawn House during this time of instability and
uncertainty .The need for shelters geared specifically for woman and children from all walks of life is lacking in
Kingston. Dawn House has excelled in providing the advocacy, housing support and counseling services for
thousands of women and their children over the last two decades and will thrive again with continued support and
time.