Nazareth House

"Nazareth House gives the women the time to heal. It is an opportunity to begin again. The need for services like ours has never been more critical."

Sister June Dwyer CSJ

What it is

Nazareth House is a home "of hope and compassion" that the Sisters of St. Joseph founded to meet the need for safe, supportive, transitional housing for women. It is an eight-bedroom home on Palmerston Blvd. that can house up to 11 women and four infants for up to ten months. The house is close to many resources: hospitals, social agencies, recovery programs and education centres.

Whom it serves

Nazareth House exists to assist women between the ages of 18 to 50 with special needs who urgently require low cost shelter. Those special needs include:

• Being a single pregnant woman
• Living with emotional or psychological issues
• Being in early recovery from substance misuse
• Living with psychiatric conditions
• Living in danger of physical, emotional or sexual abuse.

The vision

Nazareth House seeks to foster healing and growth in a goal oriented environment in which each resident is encouraged to set and achieve personal goals. Each resident has the opportunity to learn living skills and receive in-house support and counselling.

Staff can also offer outreach services to residents after they leave the home. Support and counselling can be maintained as mother and child reintegrate into the community.

How women enter

Nazareth House accepts self-referrals. Hospitals, treatment centres and other community agencies also refer women to the house on a daily basis.

Funding the vision

The Sisters of St. Joseph incorporated Nazareth House as a non-profit corporation. It is a registered charity funded by the CSJ, the City of Toronto and private donations. Residents contribute through payment of reasonable rent on a monthly basis.

Staffing and Networking

Nazareth House is a collaborative style of ministry and includes a professional staff of women, some of whom are Sisters of St. Joseph. Staff network with other agencies to maintain strong community links and remain responsive to current needs.

Nazareth House Mission Statement

Nazareth House is sponsored by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Toronto. It is a supportive, non-denominational community that provides a home-like environment to women at risk and their infants. Nazareth House is responsive to women's diverse traditions and lifestyles. Women who live at Nazareth House have the opportunity to experience themselves as persons of worth and dignity. This leads to acceptance of themselves and others and ultimately to hope and independence.

Contact:
Sister June Dwyer CSJ
Executive Director
Nazareth House

Fax: 416-532-4801
E-mail: jdwyer@csj-to.ca