News

We're so excited to be part of Doors Open Toronto this year!️

This is a rare opportunity for our community and neighbours to step inside 87 Pembroke Street, Toronto's first emergency women's shelter and a hidden gem of the Garden District. For over 60 years, this heritage home has provided care, dignity and community to women in crisis, and we'd love to share its stories with you.

Join us for a guided tour and explore:

• How this historic Toronto home became a cornerstone of the city's shelter system

• The role activists and advocates played in shaping this work

• The original architecture of the home, from the staircases and room layout to the former carriageway now used as a rear entrance

Whether you're passionate about heritage architecture, Toronto history or women's advocacy, this is a visit you won't forget. No registration is needed!

Guided tours run Saturday & Sunday at:

🕚 11:00 am | 11:30 am | 1:00 pm | 2:00 pm | 3:00 pm

📍 87 Pembroke Street, Toronto

🗓️ Saturday, May 23 – Sunday, May 24, 2026

Visit the Doors Open Toronto website to learn more and explore all participating sites: https://www.toronto.ca/explore-enjoy/festivals-events/doors-open-toronto/

To all our neighbours, donors, and followers, we'd love to see you there. Share this with your community and help spread the word!

#DoorsOpenToronto #StreetHaven #Toronto #WomensHistory #TorontoHistory #HeritageTO #GardenDistrict #WomensShelter

Harm reduction saves lives, and Akosua is making sure Toronto knows it.

Akosua is our Housing Case Manager and a Harm Reduction advocate, and lately, she's been everywhere. From the Harm Reduction Advocacy Collective Toronto to the HIV Legal Network & Drug Strategy Network of Ontario's press conferences, and even on the Jim Richards Show; she's been having important conversations and making sure harm reduction stays at the top of the agenda.

What makes Akosua's voice so powerful? She's not just talking about this from the outside. She's lived it. Akosua has personally accessed safe consumption sites and knows firsthand the difference they and harm reduction practices make. That lived experience is exactly what she brings to every conversation. And one more staff member who lives and breathes our mission.

All our staff are trained in harm reduction with the guiding principles of non-judgement, safer supply and use, respect and dignity, autonomy and choice, and what sets us apart from others- ‘we meet women where they’re at’. That’s the Street Haven way.

We are so proud of Akosua and grateful for her advocacy.

#HarmReduction #TraumaInformedCare #SafeConsumption #FrontlineWorkers #HousingAdvocacy #TorontoCommunity #HarmReductionWork #HarmReductionSavesLives #SaveOurSitesOntario

📢 We're Hiring: Social Worker

Street Haven is seeking a compassionate and skilled Social Worker to join our trauma-informed addictions treatment team, dedicated to supporting women on their recovery journey.

We are actively seeking candidates with demonstrated experience serving and representing racialized women to better reflect the lived experiences of the women we serve.

What You'll Do:

- Provide individual supportive counselling and talk therapy

- Deliver case management, advocacy, and referrals

- Apply trauma-informed, harm reduction, and strengths-based frameworks

- Collaborate with a multidisciplinary team for holistic care

- Support access to housing, healthcare, legal services & community resources

If you're driven by purpose, equity, and meaningful connection, we want to hear from you.

Application Deadline: Friday, May 8, 2026

Full job description and application available on our website: https://streethaven.org/job-opening/

#NowHiring #SocialWork #Hiring #MentalHealth #AddictionsTreatment #TraumaInformed #WomensServices #AntiOppression #SocialJustice #JobOpportunity

At Street Haven, we believe every woman deserves dignity, safety, and the chance to move forward. Hearing from our former client Marsha reminded us of exactly that. 💙

"Street Haven holds a very special place in my heart, and I wanted to share why. During a very difficult period in my life, when I was experiencing homelessness, Street Haven was there for me in ways I will never forget. At a time when I felt vulnerable and uncertain, it provided not only a safe place to stay, but also compassion, dignity, and hope.

Beyond shelter, Street Haven offered meals, health and wellness support, counselling, advocacy, and guidance toward stability and independence.

The staff treated me with genuine kindness and respect, reminding me that I mattered and that my circumstances did not define my worth. That support played a meaningful role in helping me regain stability and move forward.

It truly means a great deal to me to be able to consider Street Haven in this way, and I am deeply grateful for the lasting impact the organization has had on my life."

— Marsha, former Street Haven client

Marsha, your words are a gift to our entire team. Thank you for sharing your journey and for reminding us of the lasting impact of compassionate care.

#StreetHaven #WomenSupportingWomen #EndHomelessness #Gratitude #Hope #CompassionateCare #TorontoNonprofit

📣 Donation Call!

We're currently looking for new or gently used running shoes for our shelter clients. Women's size 7-11 preferred.

Donations can be dropped off at 87 Pembroke. Please call (416) 771-6087 to arrange a drop off time.

#StreetHaven #WomenSupportingWomen #Community #GivingBack