Every Thursday morning at Nellie’s, women gather for HerShare, a weekly educational and peer support group for women at the shelter and in the community.  Held in our recently renovated accessible Community Support & Outreach Office, HerShare provides women with a space to engage with each other to reduce isolation, while also providing an opportunity to learn through presentations and workshops.

 The goal of the HerShare Program is to increase women’s capacity to access services outside of Nellie’s on their own.  Many of the women who come to HerShare, especially those who are new to the country, are unaware of the resources for support that exist in their community.    The program is especially important for women who have recently left the shelter, providing them with a continued source of education and peer support as they make their transition back in to the community. 

 At a recent session of HerShare, our local bank manager from The Bank of Montreal joined us to host a workshop on basic financial skills, including how to open a  bank account.    This week  a representative from East Toronto Community Legal Services  is holding a Community Legal Clinic on landlord and tenant rights.

 Whether it’s health, employment, legal, financial or educational assistance that is needed, HerShare helps connect women with the resources that enable them to  better advocates for themselves and other women.