Current Projects

Moving on to Success
(November 2006 - April 2008)

The Moving on to Success program offers training and employment support to women who are survivors of abuse enabling them to build their self-esteem, employability skills, and move on to socio-economic stability. This program also raises the awareness and capacity of employers by providing education and resources related to woman abuse.

Moving on to Success is the collaborative effort of Springtide Resources (formerly Education Wife Assault); YWCA Toronto and its LinkstoJobs Employer Network; the Division of Continuing Education, Atkinson, Faculty of Liberal and Professional Studies, York University; and ACTEW. Each organization contributes expertise in a specific area. ACTEW will play a key role in the research, analysis, and reporting components of the program.

This program will take place at various locations in the Toronto area.

Abuse Survivors:

Abuse survivors enrolled in Moving on to Success will be offered a wide range of innovative, holistic and individualized services and supports for up to one year. These include workshops offered by Springtide Resources on overcoming the effects of abuse, and employment counseling and job search support provided by the YWCA Toronto. Participants also have access to additional supports such as transportation allowances, childcare, personal safety, support counseling, workshops, and referrals.

Interested women or their advocates are encouraged to read the Moving on to Success fact sheet to learn how to apply. Call to book an appointment at any time; intake is continuous. Women who may not be ready for such a program will be connected with other services and may re-apply at a later stage.

ACTEW, in partnership with Springtide Resources, conducted a focus group with survivors in May 2007 to learn what they believe would be most helpful for an employment program designed for women who have experienced intimate partner abuse. This input will help to further shape Moving on to Success and will be included in the final report on this project.

Employers:

This project included research with employers on their strategies and needs in relation to the impact of intimate partner abuse on the workplace. Employers were identified through the YWCA Toronto Links to Jobs Employer Network. Twenty representatives completed a survey in Fall 2007, the results of which will inform the MOTS Recommendation Report.