Community Partnerships - Newfoundland & Labrador

Iris Kirby House Foundation
The mandate of Iris Kirby House Inc. (IKH) is to provide a safe and secure refuge for women, with or without children, who are experiencing intimate partner violence (IPV) or domestic violence (DV). IKH strives to facilitate the healing and self-empowerment process of women and children fleeing violence, by providing support, housing, and advocacy services. This non-profit organization serves the needs of women and their children who are escaping IPV/DV, both at the main facility in St. John’s and at the sister shelter O’Shaughnessy House in Carbonear. They operate 75 transition house beds across these two shelters and 13 second stage housing units serving the Avalon Peninsula and Isthmus of Avalon regions. In addition, the circle of support also includes a 24/7 emergency crisis line, empowerment groups, the Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youngsters (HIPPY) program, and other trauma-informed programming for women and children (both residents and non-residents) that have experienced IPV/DV. They work to advocate on behalf of IPV/DV survivors for all their needs, including legal, housing, food, and financial aid. Further, IKH also provides educational sessions on IPV/DV to groups and organizations in our community and often speak to media regarding gender-based violence in our community.
In 2023 Fry Family Foundation made a donation that would be used towards Camp Programs for children/youth and Educational Programs focusing on Empowerment.
Camp Programs for Children/Youth
This new initiative was established with the support of the Fry Family Foundation. Many abused women and children from households with IPV or DV come from marginalized populations, with little or no means to place their children in day camps and/or summer camps. Having children and youth engaged and active will benefit both the mothers and the children living at shelters, as well as in the second stage housing units. Many of these children will have witnessed IPV/DV, often been traumatized themselves, or experienced other Adverse Childhood Experiences. Children moving into the shelter will have experienced abrupt relocation to an unfamiliar home, often with significant changes to their routines and the people they engage with on a regular basis. As a result, it is not uncommon for them to have challenges with processing recent events and self-regulating. The opportunity to be able to help mothers enroll their children in camp programs will not only help with a sense of normality and a routine in an otherwise stressful situation, but also be a chance to have the children engaged in a playful and learning environment where they can socialize with children their own age. The benefits to the mothers are also great as this gives them an opportunity to focus on themselves, their healing process and give them the time and space to move forward.
Educational Programs Focusing on Empowerment
The IKH Empowerment Program is an ongoing eight-week program and is available to any woman in the community who is experiencing or has experienced abuse (through self-referral or referral from other services/agencies). These Empowerment Programs are ongoing throughout the year and are offered concurrently at both Iris Kirby House and O’Shaughnessy House. The group sessions are offered on a weekly basis and led by trained staff facilitators. The Empowerment Program is geared toward healing and personal growth as the women learn about the different forms of violence, warning signs of abuse, and available community resources; explore issues around understanding and overcoming guilt; and discuss stress management, anger management, self- care, and self-esteem. The groups allow women to meet with their peers to discuss their struggles and triumphs. These settings provide women the opportunity to safely talk about their experiences in abusive relationships and how these have affected them and their children. In this safe environment, they can express emotions and/or opinions without guilt or judgment. The Empowerment Program currently reaches approximately 50 women per year (groups of eight) divided by both locations two-three times a year.
Learn more about Iris Kirby House Foundation on their website.
In 2023 Fry Family Foundation made a donation that would be used towards Camp Programs for children/youth and Educational Programs focusing on Empowerment.
Camp Programs for Children/Youth
This new initiative was established with the support of the Fry Family Foundation. Many abused women and children from households with IPV or DV come from marginalized populations, with little or no means to place their children in day camps and/or summer camps. Having children and youth engaged and active will benefit both the mothers and the children living at shelters, as well as in the second stage housing units. Many of these children will have witnessed IPV/DV, often been traumatized themselves, or experienced other Adverse Childhood Experiences. Children moving into the shelter will have experienced abrupt relocation to an unfamiliar home, often with significant changes to their routines and the people they engage with on a regular basis. As a result, it is not uncommon for them to have challenges with processing recent events and self-regulating. The opportunity to be able to help mothers enroll their children in camp programs will not only help with a sense of normality and a routine in an otherwise stressful situation, but also be a chance to have the children engaged in a playful and learning environment where they can socialize with children their own age. The benefits to the mothers are also great as this gives them an opportunity to focus on themselves, their healing process and give them the time and space to move forward.
Educational Programs Focusing on Empowerment
The IKH Empowerment Program is an ongoing eight-week program and is available to any woman in the community who is experiencing or has experienced abuse (through self-referral or referral from other services/agencies). These Empowerment Programs are ongoing throughout the year and are offered concurrently at both Iris Kirby House and O’Shaughnessy House. The group sessions are offered on a weekly basis and led by trained staff facilitators. The Empowerment Program is geared toward healing and personal growth as the women learn about the different forms of violence, warning signs of abuse, and available community resources; explore issues around understanding and overcoming guilt; and discuss stress management, anger management, self- care, and self-esteem. The groups allow women to meet with their peers to discuss their struggles and triumphs. These settings provide women the opportunity to safely talk about their experiences in abusive relationships and how these have affected them and their children. In this safe environment, they can express emotions and/or opinions without guilt or judgment. The Empowerment Program currently reaches approximately 50 women per year (groups of eight) divided by both locations two-three times a year.
Learn more about Iris Kirby House Foundation on their website.