A new second step shelter in Laval for victims of domestic violence

For 32 years, Shield of Athena has been a safe haven for many women and children of family violence in Montreal and Laval. The non-profit will be celebrating its anniversary with the unveiling of their new Second Step Shelter in Laval and an expansion of services at their emergency shelter, Athena’s House.

“There is a very big need for second step resources,” said Melpa Kamateros, the executive director at Shield of Athena. “Our social workers told us at our emergency shelter that the single most difficult thing for us to do was find women suitable housing.”

“We looked around. Montreal had second step shelters, but Laval had none.”

Shield of Athena helped a little over a thousand women and children out of domestic homes this year alone. Kamateros revealed the organization struggled to deal with overcapacity at their emergency shelter for the past 12 years.

The organization held a benefit to meet the need on Friday called the Lilac Event – named for the colour that symbolizes support for victims of domestic abuse – with an art auction to gather funds for their new projects.

“With this new resource, the second step resource, we will be able to accommodate between 34 to 54 people at one time for a period of one to two years,” said Kamateros.

Set to open in 2024, the transitional shelter will have 17 apartments and provide social work services to help the women support themselves and their children after they leave the shelter. The expansion will also include eight new units at Shield of Athena’s emergency shelter.

“We will help them find work,” said Kamateros. “We will help them become more autonomous because the issue with economic dependency is so great in cases like this. We will do everything we can to bolster her self-esteem and to help her to become independent.”

Kamateros emphasizing, “If you’re a woman who is a victim of conjugal violence, don’t be scared. There are services for you.”