Founded in 1993, The Redwood provides emergency shelter for women and children escaping abuse. Through on-site counselling and services the charity aims to allow clients to thrive and live independently, working to break the cycle of abuse.

The Redwood has 12 bedrooms, housing 37 beds in a converted warehouse in Toronto. Residents receive 3 meals a day, hygiene items, bedding, and childcare supplies. Peer support groups, art and play therapy, wellness resources, and parenting classes help women and children to work through trauma. Women are connected with other community supports, including housing support services, referrals to subsidized daycare and school registration, job training, and legal support. Clients stay at the shelter for an average of 114 days and remain in touch with counsellors for a year after leaving.

For many women, the cost of escaping abuse is living in poverty. The Redwood works to connect clients with affordable housing and employment opportunities. In 2018, 160 women attended the Trades and Technology Conference to learn about college programs, trade schools, and union apprenticeships. The Redwood’s Women on the Move Leadership Program coached nine women in public speaking and job skills training.

The Redwood is actively engaged in community outreach within Toronto. It facilitates workshops at local schools, libraries, housing co-ops, and community centres, educating women about abuse, and to create a safety plan when fleeing abusive situations. The 24-hour crisis line provides women in desperate need with counselling. In 2018, 491 women called the crisis line.

The Redwood is a medium-sized charity with donations of $1.1m in F2018. The charity received $1.8m in government funding, representing 62% of total revenues. Administrative costs are 9% of revenue less investment income, and fundraising costs are 14% of donations. For every dollar donated, 77 cents go to the cause, which is within Ci’s reasonable range for overhead spending. The Redwood has $1.4m in funding reserves which could cover seven months of program costs.

This charity report is an update that has been sent to The Redwood for review. Changes and edits may be forthcoming.

Updated on August 1, 2019 by Madison Kerr.