Yellow Brick House

What Yellow Brick House does

Yellow Brick House is a Canadian registered charity (Charitable Registration Number 11910 5187 RR0001), founded in 1978 and headquartered in Richmond Hill, Ontario, that delivers life-saving services to women and children fleeing domestic violence across York Region. Its core offerings include a 24/7 toll-free Crisis and Support Line, two confidential emergency shelters in Markham and Aurora with 41 beds and 10 cribs, individual and group counselling (including the 10-week 'When Love Hurts' program), the Let's Talk Child Witness and Mothers in Mind children's programs, legal support, immigration consultation, and transitional housing assistance. All services are free, confidential, and available in 31 languages, with dedicated French-language partnerships via OASIS, Fem'aide, and Colibri.

Public education and prevention constitute a second product cluster: the Schools for Change workshops (Grades 6-12), Healthy Homes workshops for newcomers, an Elder Abuse Prevention Program, organizational Bill 132 workplace training, and a four-module eLearning curriculum covering unhealthy relationships, youth foundations, campus empowerment, and digital literacy. The organization is technology-light, with no proprietary platform — service delivery depends on human staff, physical shelters, and a website/givecloud donation portal.

The business model is a community-funded non-profit: revenue is composed of provincial government funding from the Ontario Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services, federal support from Women and Gender Equality Canada, foundation grants (Ontario Trillium Foundation, Telus Community Board, New Horizons), corporate partnerships (Shoppers Foundation, Scotiabank, Home Depot Canada, CGI, OpenText, Bimbo Canada, and others), individual monthly and one-time donations, legacy/bequest giving, and cause-marketing product partnerships. Annual operating cost for the Markham shelter alone is disclosed at $631,000, with two shelters plus counselling, education, and administration implying an organization materially larger than its 11-50 headcount band would normally imply.

Name

Yellow Brick House

Legal name

Yellow Brick House

Website

https://yellowbrickhouse.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1978

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Yellow Brick House is a Canadian registered charity founded in 1978 that delivers free, confidential, 24/7 services to women and children escaping domestic violence across York Region through two emergency shelters (41 beds, 10 cribs), crisis lines, counselling, legal support, and prevention education in 31 languages.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Domestic Violence Support Services

NAICS

Temporary Shelters (624221), Other Community Housing Services (624229)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYBPAIANAC

Homelessness Prevention, Shelter & Supportive Housing Services

Business & Public Services/Public Sector & Government Administration/Housing, Urban Planning & Community Development

SECONDARYBPAGAEAL

Community Centers & Neighborhood Support Services

Business & Public Services/Nonprofit, NGO & Social Services/Social Services & Community Support (Food, Housing, Family)

Keywords

• Domestic violence services
• Women's shelter services
• Emergency housing support
• Crisis counseling services
• Victim support services

Headquarters

HQ city

Richmond Hill

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Others

Revenue model

1. Government Funding: Funded by the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services, as well as other government sources for shelter operations and community services.
2. Individual Donations: One-time and monthly donations from individual supporters, with monthly donors receiving purple scarves as appreciation tokens.
3. Corporate Partnerships: Strategic giving, cause marketing, brand exposure sponsorships, employee engagement programs, and product donations from corporate partners.
4. Foundation Grants: Grants from foundations including Ontario Trillium Foundation, Women and Gender Equality Canada, New Horizons, and Telus Community Board.
5. Legacy Giving: Planned giving through stocks/securities donations, life insurance beneficiary designations, and bequests in wills.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels11 records

Core offering

Yellow Brick House is a non-profit organization that provides emergency shelter, crisis intervention, counseling, legal support, and transitional housing to women and children escaping domestic violence. It also operates a crisis line and delivers public education on abuse prevention, serving survivors across the Greater Toronto Area from its base in Richmond Hill, Ontario.

Product overview

Yellow Brick House provides a comprehensive suite of life-saving social services for women and children escaping domestic violence. The core offerings include a 24/7 Crisis and Support Line, Emergency Shelter (two locations with 41 beds and 10 cribs), individual and group counselling, legal support, and transitional housing assistance. Children's services encompass the Let's Talk Child Witness Program and Mothers in Mind parenting support. Public education programs include Schools for Change workshops, eLearning modules, Healthy Homes workshops for newcomers, the Elder Abuse Prevention Program, and organizational workplace training. The organization also provides safety planning resources and internet/telephone safety education. These services are delivered free of charge, confidential, and available in multiple languages to serve York Region's diverse community.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Emergency Shelter

Quantifiable outcome

• 41 emergency shelter beds and 10 cribs across 2 locations
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

30 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Shoppers Foundation for Women's HealthcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 February 202650 local Shoppers Drug Mart stores selected Yellow Brick House for annual Giving Shelter Campaign. Customer donations at checkout funded emergency shelter beds, crisis counselling, safety planning, and transitional housing support. Raised $96,300 in 2025-2026.
• Home Depot CanadamajorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2024Received Community Developments Grant to create outdoor space for youth at Markham Shelter. Home Depot team of volunteers supported installation. Enhanced facilities for families served.
• CGI Inc.majorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2024Exceptional support including financial contributions and volunteers for Celebration of Resilience Fundraising Reception. CGI team instrumental in setting up and running events. Committed to expanding efforts and creating sustainable change.
• OpenTextmajorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2024Financial contributions supported International Women's Day Gift Packing and Nights of Safety program. Funded and organized volunteer teams for spring cleanups at both shelters. Longstanding partnership built on compassion and community.
• Olympus CanadaminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2024Steadfast supporter through fundraisers and volunteer initiatives. Spring 2024 volunteers enhanced Richmond Hill office front gardens. Contributed to welcoming environment for women and children.
• Bimbo CanadamajorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2023Consistent supporter through financial contributions and product sponsorship for events. Sponsored facility upgrades including storage shed (Markham 2023), gazebo, shed, and sandbox (Aurora 2024).
• ScotiabankmajorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2023Featured on employee giving program. Contributed total funding of $4,610 in 2023. Provided assistance in shelter renovations, gift cards and in-kind gifts for families served.
• Crown Property Management Inc.minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2023Contributed to beautification of Richmond Hill office front garden through purchase of plants and flowers, with volunteer team planting and caring for garden.
• Honda CanadaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partner supporting Yellow Brick House programs and services.
• 407 ETRminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partner supporting Yellow Brick House programs and services.
• adidas CanadaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partner supporting Yellow Brick House programs and services. Former board member Zdenka Pantaleo was Executive Sponsor of local Women's ERG.
• Marsh CanadaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partner supporting Yellow Brick House programs and services.
• RBCminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partner supporting Yellow Brick House programs and services.
• The Enercare TeammajorGTM or Marketing PartnerInaugural charity partner of Enercare Fresh Start Program since 2016. Program objective is to give back to communities where they work and live by supporting families-in-need with fresh start as they transition to new homes.
• NCompass FinancialmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerProud and ongoing supporter. Former board member for 7 years, witnessed undying commitment of YBH leadership and staff. Committed to eliminating domestic violence through community partnership.
• TACC ConstructionminorGTM or Marketing PartnerDedicated to supporting local charitable organizations. Believes in YBH commitment to empower women and children to rebuild lives after escaping domestic violence.
• The Talent CompanymajorGTM or Marketing PartnerLong-term supporter as part of core values of giving back to communities. Satisfied and confident that continued support empowers women and children to rebuild lives.
• Ontario Association of Interval and Transition Houses (OAITH)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoalition of first stage emergency women's shelters, 2nd stage housing organizations and community-based women organizations working towards ending violence against all women. CEO Lorris Herenda serves as Treasurer of OAITH board.
• York Region Violence Against Women Coordinating Committee (YRVAWCC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFeminist committee promoting gender-based analysis of violence against women. Ensures collaboration, coordination and communication amongst all stakeholders in York Region gender-based violence sector. CEO Lorris Herenda is co-chair.
• Mackenzie Health (DASA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDomestic Abuse and Sexual Assault Centre provides 24/7 specialized healthcare response by forensic nursing team with acute care and follow-up component. Supports enhanced police investigation by collecting forensic evidence.
• Safe Pet OntariominorOthersCoordinates foster care for pets of survivors fleeing violent situations, allowing women to leave abusers without leaving pets behind.
• Ontario SPCAminorOthersPet fostering resources for women leaving abusive partners. Provides temporary housing and care for pets.
• OASIS Centre des FemmesminorOthersFrench language services partner providing support to French-speaking clients of Yellow Brick House.
• Fem'aideminorOthers24/7 French language support line (1-877-336-3433) for French-speaking clients requiring services in French.
• Colibri Centre Des FemmesminorOthersFrench language services partner providing support to French-speaking clients of Yellow Brick House (705-797-2060).
• The Bargains GroupminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorWholesale partner providing discounts on wish list items. Additional donations to Yellow Brick House included with every purchase.
• Cocoa 40 Inc.minorGTM or Marketing Partner#Chocolate4Change partnership. $1 from every chocolate bar or bonbon from Yellow Brick House collection goes directly to the organization.
• Liv Lovely CandlesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAll natural hand poured soy candles. 25% of proceeds donated to Yellow Brick House.
• LA BeautyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSelf-care brand. Proceeds from sales support Yellow Brick House.
• Bellezza By VanessaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMedical Aesthetician services. Celebrate Your Beauty project donates portion of proceeds to Yellow Brick House.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• YWCA Toronto: Large incumbent women's services provider in the GTA offering shelter, housing, and violence-against-women programming at materially larger scale.

Emerging players

• Chrysalis Anti-Human Trafficking Network: Toronto-area anti-trafficking organization providing case management and shelter referrals to survivors, with overlapping client population and referral pathways.

Direct peers

• Gillian's Place: Niagara Region women's shelter operating emergency shelter, crisis line, counselling, and public education programs — a directly comparable Ontario women's shelter peer.
• Ernestine's Women's Shelter: Toronto-based emergency shelter and 24/7 crisis line for women and children fleeing violence, comparable in mission and operating model to Yellow Brick House.
• Interval House Toronto: Toronto-based emergency shelter and counselling organization serving women and children fleeing violence, with a comparable crisis-line + shelter + education model in a neighbouring GTA market.
• Toronto Rape Crisis Centre / Women Against Violence Against Women (WAVAW): Toronto-based feminist crisis and counselling organization serving survivors of sexual violence, with overlapping counselling, education, and advocacy mission.
• Nellie's (Nellie's Hostel and Community Centre): Toronto women's shelter and community organization offering emergency shelter, counselling, and transitional housing for women and children experiencing violence and poverty.
• Women's Habitat (Etobicoke): Peel-region shelter and counselling provider serving women and children fleeing abuse, with a similar shelter + outreach + education service mix.

Others

• Ontario Association of Interval and Transition Houses (OAITH): Provincial coalition of first-stage shelters, second-stage housing, and community organizations; Yellow Brick House's CEO sits on its board, making it both a coordinating body and ecosystem reference point.

Regional players

• Mackenzie Health DASA (Domestic Abuse & Sexual Assault Care Centre): Hospital-based forensic nursing response team serving York Region — a current referral partner with overlapping service population, though delivered from a healthcare rather than community-services platform.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/yellowbrckhouse
• Facebookfacebook.com/yellowbrckhouse
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/yellowbrckhouse
• Instagraminstagram.com/yellowbrckhouse

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Yellow Brick House