The Today Centre delivers a comprehensive, multidisciplinary response to family violence. It offers a safe place for those affected by domestic violence to access timely, short-term services and support. Additionally, The Today Centre links those affected by domestic violence to medium-term and long-term services and supports in the community that further supports their quality of life.
Vision Statement: A healthy community safe and free of family violence.
Mission Statement: To serve people affected by family violence through collaborative, community wide services.
The Today Centre co-located partners include:
Divisional Domestic Violence Intervention Team - Downtown Unit
The Divisional Domestic Violence Intervention Teams are a partnership between social workers from City of Edmonton Community Services and detectives from Edmonton Police Service.
The teams:
· Contact victims after there has been a police report of spousal abuse.
· Assess risk and provide safety options and support to victims.
· Help with police investigations.
· Make recommendations to the court for bail and sentences.
· Partner with other agencies to assist victims.
Elder Abuse Intervention Team
The Elder Abuse Intervention Team is a collaboration of the Edmonton Police Service, The City of Edmonton Community Services, Catholic Social Services and Victorian Order of Nurses. Our mission is to prevent and respond to elder abuse by working in partnership with the community, thereby enhancing the well being of older adults. EAIT provides a two-fold response to elder abuse. There is a proactive approach through community development and education, and a responsive approach through direct intervention.
Elderly Adult Resource Service
This program assists older adults who are in abusive or potentially abusive situations. EARS provides information on elder abuse to the community by acting as a referral source and by offering presentations on Elder Abuse as well as agency consultations. Another important aspect of EARS is that they collect and record data relating to Elder Abuse to further understanding of the issue. The EARS team works to prevent and respond to Elder Abuse by working with Edmonton Community Service and the Edmonton Police Service.
Edmonton John Howard Society - Outreach Program
The responsibilities of the outreach worker include developing non-judgemental and supportive relationships with people experiencing various types of family violence who require information and support. The focus of outreach is "walking with the client". The work done is client driven based on needs identified by the person impacted by abuse and to assist them with overcoming barriers to allow them to live free from abuse. Their tasks include the following:
- Information / Referral
- Emotional Support
- Advocacy
- Safety planning/Risk Assessment
- Services available in Cantonese and Mandarin
- Assistance with overcoming barriers to leaving abusive situations
- Linkages with other services
Victim Service Unit
The Edmonton Police Service's Victim Services Unit (VSU) was established on July 23, 1979 and since then has been committed to improving the overall service it provides to the public and enhancing the safety of the community. The Unit is in contact with at least thirty thousand victims annually and approximately 20,000 hours are volunteered by the Advocates each year. The mission of the Victim Service Unit is to provide support, referral and information to victims of crime and tragedy.
All these services are located at the same address as the Today Centre. We are also linked with many community agencies and we can set up meetings here at the Today Centre to make it easier for you to access their services.
