St. Joe’s Women’s Centre is a Day Program, that is dedicated to the needs of women and their children, in a supportive and safe environment. Social and educational programs are offered to promote empowerment, autonomy, and dignity in a non-judgemental atmosphere.

St. Joe’s Women’s Centre was founded in May 1984 to provide daytime shelter for Ottawa’s homeless women. Today, St. Joe’s Women’s Centre continues to play a significant role in the lives of many women and their children. A warm, safe, caring place to spend the day makes a real difference in one’s life.

“Where there is a sense of belonging and self respect, there is hope.”

St. Joe’s Women’s Centre’s Little Bags of Goodness program has been operational for 19 years; This year being it’s 20th Anniversary. Gavin Lumsden, founder of this project, has for the past 19 years spent thousands of hours and dollars ensuring that this very needed and special program stays afloat. Each year Gavin and 25-30 volunteers from local schools drop of the Little Bags of Goodness onto hundreds of peoples doorsteps. With directions and encouragement to fill the plastic bags with toiletries for needy organisations such as; St Joe’s Women’s Centre, The Mission, Shelters managed by the YMCA, Cornerstone Women’s Shelters, Harmony House and Maison Marie Louise. These bags are then collected and sorted one-by-one.

ODBF DONATES $5,000 TO ST. Joe’s Women’s Center Posted: December 18, 2019 | NEWS