Someone I Know Needs Help
Who Can I Call?
If someone you know needs immediate help or is in danger, please call the police at 911.
How can I begin to help my friend or loved one?
It’s difficult to talk with a friend or loved one about a housing situation or domestic abuse. These are very personal and traumatic issues, and you might not know what to say — especially if you think they won’t be open to change or are fearful of it.
To start, gently share what you’ve noticed about their situation and ask how you can help. If you make any suggestions, always respect their responses and choices. Providing judgment-free support may give them the courage to make a change if it’s needed, even if it takes a while. In the meantime, keep in regular contact and keep listening.
If you need support to navigate these discussions, you can call a crisis line (see below) or visit our page to find more information that may help.
Getting a place at Red Door
We support all kinds of families and individuals facing homelessness, including domestic abuse victims and refugees. Hundreds of families each year benefit from the inclusive, safe environment offered by our two shelters with a total of 156 beds.
If someone you know has decided they could benefit from our shelter and services, here’s how you can help them find their way to us:
Families needing shelter
Call Central Family Intake at 416-397-5637. They will know if we have space and will contact us on their behalf. If we don’t have space, they will work to find your friend or loved one another suitable shelter space.
Women fleeing violence
If your friend or loved one is a woman experiencing violence, call our crisis line at 416-423-0310 and press ‘0’ or call the Assaulted Women’s Helpline at 1-866-863-0511.
Why turn to us?
At Red Door, we focus on creating long-lasting stability for families facing homelessness and women (and their children) fleeing violence.
To give everyone the best possible chance to build a brighter future, we provide a wide range of support services, including counselling, legal and immigration assistance, parenting and life-skills classes, childcare and educational programs at our shelters and in local schools, referrals to medical assistance, and more.
When your friend or loved one’s situation is stable and they’re ready to move on from the Red Door, we’ll assist them in finding housing and help them furnish and move into their new home. Plus, we’ll provide ongoing support to ensure they can stay independently and safely housed.
