About Ernestine’s Women’s Shelter

Ernestine’s Women's Shelter was opened in 1983 by a group of community members who saw a need for a safe place for women and children fleeing violence and abuse.

The founders were pleased to name the shelter after Ernestine van Marle, a local community activist who gave them support and guidance as they began the shelter, and continues to support the shelter's efforts in ending violence against women and children until her passing in 2006. Ernestine's embodied all the characteristics that our shelter aspires towards: energetic, community-minded, supportive, and dedicated.

Why We Exist

Ernestine’s is a non-profit organization that provides advocacy, crisis intervention and shelter to Women, Two-Spirit, Trans, Non-binary and Gender Diverse individuals and their children experiencing violence. Our services are evidence-informed and driven by values of inclusion, anti-racism, anti-oppression and respect. We seek to interrupt violence through education and advocacy for social justice.