- 24/7 Crisis Line
1-888-756-0616
- 24/7 Crisis Line
1-888-756-0616
1-888-756-0616
1-888-756-0616
For over 47 years, Haven Society has been a place of safety, healing, and hope for women, children, and families on Vancouver Island. We are an anti-violence organization rooted in feminist principles, serving the Nanaimo and Oceanside communities with shelter, counselling, advocacy, and support services.
Haven Society provides a compassionate, respectful, and safe community for women, families, and individuals impacted by violence and abuse. We offer shelter, support services, education, and advocacy, and we walk alongside survivors every step of the way.
A community grounded in respect, dignity, and equity, where everyone lives and thrives in a safe, supportive environment.
Our work is guided by a set of values we return to every day.
No one deserves to be abused.
Violence has no place in relationships or in society.
Relationship and societal violence arise from an imbalance and misuse of power and control.
Education and awareness are essential for prevention.
The community has both a right and a responsibility to get involved.
Equality, mutual respect, and interdependence are the foundation of healthy relationships.
Women, children, and families are diverse and have the right to have their differences respected.
At Haven Society, we believe the way we respond to someone reaching out matters just as much as the services we provide. We’re committed to offering what researchers call a Positive Social Response — an approach that listens, believes, and takes action.
When someone discloses violence or abuse, a Positive Social Response means we address what’s happening directly, help create a safety plan, validate their experience, and connect them with resources so they know they are not alone.
Research consistently shows that survivors who receive this kind of response recover more fully, more quickly, and are more likely to seek help again in the future. At Haven, we want every person who reaches out to feel heard, believed, and worthy of care.
We acknowledge Dr. Allan Wade, Dr. Shelley Bonnah, Dr. Cathy Richardson, and their colleagues at the Centre for Response-Based Practice for their extensive work in this area.
Haven Society was built by community members who saw a need and refused to look away. What began as volunteer-run crisis calls answered from private homes has grown into a multi-program organization serving thousands of people each year. Here are some of the milestones along the way.
Haven Society was built by dedicated volunteers, and that volunteer spirit lives on in our Board of Directors. Our board members bring diverse backgrounds and experience, but share a common commitment: ensuring that Haven Society operates with integrity, sustainability, and purpose so that we can keep showing up for the people who need us most.
Haven Society is grateful for the generosity and collaboration of our funding partners, community organizations, and corporate supporters. Together, we’re building a safer community for everyone.
Haven Society is a registered charity serving Nanaimo and the Oceanside region. Every donation goes directly toward shelter, counselling, and crisis support for women and families who need it most.
Your generosity keeps our doors open — 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.