Our story
Creation
Founded in 1989, Auberge Shalom pour femmes (ASPF) is a non-profit organization for women in abusive relationships and their dependent children. The centre is welcoming to the community at large but was created with a special mandate to serve the Jewish community. This mandate came in response to the 1984 murder of a Jewish woman, Donna Kertzer Rose, by her husband. This act of conjugal violence spurred the National Council of Jewish Women, led by Miriam Charron, into action. Together with the support of philanthropists Bina and Leonard Ellen, Auberge Shalom was first established.
Expansion
Recognizing a need for a counselling office in addition to the shelter, then Director and Order of Canada recipient, Diane Sasson, spearheaded the opening of our Counselling and Resource office in 2002. In 2009, our Children’s Program was launched to address the adverse impact of conjugal violence on children. In 2019, with the generous support of Andrew Harper, z”l, our counselling office, which provides support to mothers and children who are not in shelter, moved to a larger space renamed the Carole and Andrew Harper Counselling Office . Here at our external services, we proudly serve the Jewish Orthodox community as well as all communities.
Since its inception, education and outreach have always been part of ASPF’s goal in order to stop the cycle of violence. In 2019, ASPF celebrated its 30th year anniversary by bringing together original founders with the present leadership and community at large for an educational Art for Auberge fundraiser.
Over thirty years since opening its doors, Auberge Shalom pour femmes has provided professional services to thousands of women and children.
Three-tiered planter symbolizing the three decades of providing critical services for women and children whose lives are impacted by intimate partner abuse. Planted by staff, Board and volunteers at our 2019 AGM.