History
Birchway Niagara owes its existence to the work of members of our community who saw a need to support women and children experiencing domestic violence. It was through their hard work that two women’s shelters opened in Welland and Niagara Falls in the early 1980s. In 1997, the two sites both became part of the same organization and Serenity Place (Welland) and Nova House (Niagara Falls) together became known as “Women’s Place”.
In 2022 significant changes were made to domestic violence services in South Niagara. Serenity Place closed and a new satellite office opened in Welland to continue domestic violence support in this community. To meet the increasing need for domestic violence services, the doors opened on an newly expanded shelter in Niagara Falls, increasing the total safe beds operated by Women’s Place from 30 to 40.
Change continued in 2023 when Women’s Place changed its name to Birchway Niagara. While the core of Birchway’s services continue to protect and empower women and children impacted by abuse, the new inclusive name represents a growing understanding that abuse is an issue that impacts everyone. It is also a problem that must be solved by everyone. As Birchway evolves and grows, we will work toward addressing the root causes of abuse, engaging members of our community regardless of their race, age, gender, sexuality or economic status.
Picture: Volunteer Ruth Buchanan receives books for the Niagara Women in Crisis Book Riot.
A brief history of Serenity Place, Welland
Serenity Place, which was formerly known as Women’s Place (Welland & District) Inc., officially opened its doors on June 8, 1981. An ad was placed in the personal column of the local newspaper and within a week of opening the shelter was full.
In 1992, land was purchased for the site of a new shelter with the help of Women’s Place volunteers who operated an annual Arts and Crafts Show and Sale. Construction of a new building followed, and in 1996 a 10-bed shelter opened its doors at 102 River Rd. In 2022, this site became Pathstone Mental Health’s newest location, “River House”, and continues the tradition of providing important social services in the Welland community.
A brief history of Nova House, Niagara Falls
In the late 1970s, the University Women’s Club of Niagara Falls drew attention to the issue of abused women through a public forum on the issue. Gradually other community partners such as the police and the Y.W.C.A. worked with the club to identify the needs of local women experiencing abuse.
Niagara Women in Crisis was established in 1981 to work on plans for a “transition house”, with a regular book sale (now known as the Women’s Place Book Riot) established to raise funds for the project. In 1983, the original Nova House opened its doors near Five Corners in what is now the Rotary House. In 2007, the “new Nova”, a 20-bed shelter, opened its doors.
In 2022, the former Nova House on McLeod Rd became home to all of Women’s Place’s shelter beds and administrative staff, and continues to serve as one of the four locations where outreach counselling services will be available. For information about outreach services in Welland, Port Colborne and Fort Erie, visit our “Contact us for support” page.
