My Friend's House

What My Friend's House does

My Friend's House is a registered Canadian charitable organization headquartered in Collingwood, Ontario, that provides emergency shelter, crisis support, and therapeutic services to women and children experiencing gender-based violence in the South Georgian Bay region. The organization operates a 24-hour emergency shelter and a 24/7 confidential crisis line, supported by a continuum of programs including Violence Against Women therapeutic counselling, a dedicated Children and Youth program, Wellness programming, Transitional Housing and Legal Support, Second Stage Housing, Transition Coordination, Outreach Services, and individualized Safety Planning. The 11-50 employee organization is governed by a Board of Directors and led by Executive Director Samantha Jones, and in its most recent reporting period served 189 women and children, answered 7,011 crisis line calls, and turned away 558 women and children due to insufficient capacity.

The organization's core service delivery is human-led and trauma-informed, with no proprietary technology platform underpinning its offerings. Its technology footprint is limited to a Squarespace-hosted website (myfriendshouse.ca) and a CanadaHelps donation portal; there is no evidence of bespoke software, AI tooling, or data infrastructure. Programs are delivered directly through the shelter, the crisis line, and in-person outreach across a defined catchment covering Collingwood, The Blue Mountains, Wasaga Beach, and surrounding communities.

My Friend's House is funded through a hybrid model in which approximately 40% of operating costs are covered by Ontario provincial government funding, and the remaining 60% must be raised annually. The donation base is built through individual one-time donations, a Monthly Giving Program, in-kind Wish List donations, a multi-year Corporate Community Partnership Program (up to three-year commitments), and signature events such as the HeArt of Red Live Painting Experience and The Ultimate East Coast Kitchen Party. The organization also maintains the Sunflower Fund, a named endowment supporting children's programming, and partners with referral organizations such as Common Thread, The Fresh Start Project, Georgian Bay Furniture Bank, and E3 ReUse Centre for in-kind donation flows.

Name

My Friend's House

Legal name

My Friend's House

Website

https://www.myfriendshouse.ca

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

My Friend's House is a registered Canadian charitable nonprofit based in Collingwood, Ontario, providing 24/7 emergency shelter, crisis line support, therapeutic counselling, and transitional housing to women and children experiencing gender-based violence across South Georgian Bay.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Domestic Violence Shelter and Crisis Support Services

NAICS

Temporary Shelters (624221), Community Housing Services (62422), Child and Youth Services (62411)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Domestic Violence & Abuse Support Services (BPAGAEAD)

akta.pro secondary industry

Housing Assistance & Homeless Services (BPAGAEAB)

Keywords

• Women's shelter services
• Crisis intervention support
• Trauma-informed counselling
• Transitional housing programs
• Gender-based violence support

Headquarters

HQ city

Collingwood

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Provincial Government Funding: Ontario provincial government funding covers approximately 40% of operating budget
2. Donations and Fundraising: Individual and corporate donations, monthly giving programs, and fundraising events cover approximately 60% of operating budget which must be raised annually

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

My Friend's House is a nonprofit that provides free, trauma-informed 24/7 crisis support, emergency shelter, therapeutic counselling, children and youth programming, wellness, transitional and second-stage housing, legal and housing navigation, safety planning, and outreach services to women and children experiencing gender-based violence in South Georgian Bay, Ontario. Its operations are funded by Ontario provincial government grants and a 60% annual raise through donations, monthly giving, corporate partnerships, and fundraising events.

Product overview

My Friend's House is a crisis support organization for women and children experiencing gender-based violence in South Georgian Bay, offering a unified set of shelter and support services rather than a technology product. The core offering centers on a 24-hour emergency shelter (Shelter Program) combined with integrated support services including Crisis & Emergency Support (24/7 crisis line), Violence Against Women Therapeutic Counselling, Children & Youth Program, Wellness Program, Transitional Housing & Legal Support, Second Stage Housing, Transition Coordination, Outreach Services, and Safety Planning. These programs work together to provide a continuum of care from immediate crisis response through transitional support toward independent living. The organization also operates fundraising programs including Donate Now, Monthly Giving, Wish List donations, and corporate partnership opportunities, as well as signature events like the HeArt of Red Live Painting Experience and The Ultimate East Coast Kitchen Party. The Sunflower Fund supports children's programming including afterschool activities, summer camps, and recreational activities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Sunflower Fund: A fund created in honour of Ashley Milnes to support children and youth at My Friend's House with afterschool programs, summer camps, and sports activities.

Products and services

• Shelter Program 24-hour emergency shelter providing a safe place for women and children experiencing abuse, with access to healthy meals, personal care items, clothing, counselling, and day-to-day support.
• Crisis & Emergency Support 24/7 crisis line (705-444-2511) with trained counsellors providing immediate support, safety planning, and connection to resources for women and children in crisis.
• Violence Against Women Therapeutic Counselling Trauma-informed therapeutic counselling offering risk assessment, safety planning, one-to-one and group counselling, information, advocacy, and referrals to community resources for women who have experienced abuse.
• Children & Youth Program Safe, nurturing, trauma-informed support for children and caregivers including one-to-one support and play-based programming tailored to each child's age, developmental stage, and individual needs.
• Wellness Program Holistic trauma-informed wellness support including individual counselling, group sessions, and service coordination related to mental health, substance use, and physical well-being for women who have experienced abuse.
• Transitional Housing & Legal Support Trauma-informed support for women moving toward independent living, including assistance with securing safe housing, developing life skills, and navigating legal systems with advocacy and guidance.
• Second Stage Housing Transitional housing program providing continued safe shelter and support for women as they transition from emergency shelter into independent living.
• Transition Coordination Practical support helping women transition from shelter into independent living through one-to-one and group interactions focused on building life skills, establishing routines, and gaining confidence.
• Outreach Services One-on-one support for women who may not need shelter but still require support, including emotional support, system navigation, and connections to community resources.
• Safety Planning Individualized safety planning services helping women assess risks, prepare for different scenarios, and identify supports that create greater stability and control.
• HeArt of Red: Live Painting Experience Annual fundraising event featuring live painting by ten artists in timed rounds, silent and live auctions, and community engagement in support of My Friend's House programs.
• The Ultimate East Coast Kitchen Party Community fundraising event featuring East Coast music, food, and entertainment that raised $57,980 to fight food insecurity and support food programs for women and children.
• Sunflower Fund Fund created in honour of Ashley Milnes providing children and youth at My Friend's House access to afterschool programs, summer camps, and sports and recreational activities.
• Donate Now Direct donation program allowing supporters to contribute financially to help provide immediate safety, support, and essential programs for women and children.
• Monthly Giving Recurring monthly donation program enabling donors to provide steady support that helps maintain shelter operations and crisis response capabilities.
• Wish List Program accepting donations of essential items including kitchen staples, children's lunch items, perishable items, personal care items, and gift cards to support shelter residents.
• Corporate Community Partnership Program Ongoing partnership program inviting businesses to support My Friend's House through financial commitment, employee giving, or custom approaches over up to three years.

Quantifiable outcome

• 189 women and children served with shelter and support services
• +1 more outcomes

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered minor.

• Chapman Private WealthminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 20 May 2026Presenting sponsor of The Ultimate East Coast Kitchen Party fundraising event. The event raised $57,980 to fight food insecurity and provide women and children with access to nutritious meals, grocery support, and essential food programs.
• RBC (Royal Bank of Canada)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate Community Partner supporting My Friend's House through ongoing partnership. RBC participates in the corporate partnership program that provides reliable support for women and children moving toward safer, more stable futures.
• Living WaterminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate Community Partner listed among valued community partners supporting My Friend's House through the Corporate Community Partnership Program.
• AlairminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate Community Partner listed among valued community partners supporting My Friend's House.
• RPWminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate Community Partner listed among valued community partners supporting My Friend's House.
• Apple Self StorageminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate Community Partner listed among valued community partners supporting My Friend's House.
• MullenminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate Community Partner listed among valued community partners supporting My Friend's House.
• CrozierminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate Community Partner listed among valued community partners supporting My Friend's House.
• HuroniaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate Community Partner listed among valued community partners supporting My Friend's House.
• Insurance StoreminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate Community Partner listed among valued community partners supporting My Friend's House.
• Baker TillyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate Community Partner listed among valued community partners supporting My Friend's House.
• Joyful HomesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate Community Partner listed among valued community partners supporting My Friend's House.
• Caroline's Custom RenovationsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate Community Partner listed among valued community partners supporting My Friend's House.
• CollingwoodminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate Community Partner listed among valued community partners supporting My Friend's House.
• Common ThreadminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThrift store partner where clothing donations should be directed. 100% of proceeds from Common Thread are directed back to My Friend's House.
• The Fresh Start ProjectminorOthersReferral partner for furniture and household item donations. Recommended for donors unable to donate directly to My Friend's House.
• Georgian Bay Furniture BankminorOthersReferral partner for furniture donations. Recommended for donors unable to donate directly to My Friend's House.
• E3 ReUse CentreminorOthersReferral partner for reuse items. Recommended for donors unable to donate directly to My Friend's House.
• Sunflower FundminorOthersNamed fund created in honour of Ashley Milnes. Provides access to afterschool programs, summer camps, and sports/recreational activities for children and youth at My Friend's House.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Anova (formerly London Women's Abuse Centre): Southwestern Ontario shelter and outreach organization providing emergency shelter, counselling, and sexual assault services. Comparable integrated service model and regional nonprofit structure.
• Gillian's Place: Ontario-based shelter and outreach organization serving women and children experiencing domestic violence in the Niagara Region. Directly comparable in service mix (emergency shelter, crisis line, counselling, transitional housing) and regional nonprofit model.
• Family Transition Place: Ontario-based organization serving women and children experiencing abuse across Dufferin-Caledon, offering emergency shelter, counselling, and transitional housing. Closely mirrors My Friend's House in geographic scope, services, and funding model.
• Interval House (Toronto): Toronto-based shelter and counselling organization for women and children experiencing violence. Comparable service model including emergency shelter, crisis line, counselling, and children's programming, though at a larger urban scale.
• Assaulted Women's Helpline: Ontario-wide crisis line and referral service for women experiencing abuse. Directly comparable in crisis response and system navigation services, with overlapping geographic catchment.

Emerging players

• Chrysalis Anti-Human Trafficking Network: Canadian network providing shelter, counselling, and reintegration services for survivors of human trafficking and gender-based violence. Comparable in trauma-informed client model but with a trafficking-specific focus.

Others

• Women's Shelters Canada: National umbrella organization for women's shelters across Canada. Relevant peer as the sector-wide body that shapes policy and federal funding that ultimately flows to organizations like My Friend's House.
• Canadian Women's Foundation: National public foundation funding violence-prevention and gender-equity programs across Canada, including shelter operators. Relevant peer as a funder and sector advocate that influences the donor ecosystem My Friend's House operates within.
• Ontario Association of Interval & Transition Houses (OAITH): Provincial membership association representing Ontario women's shelters and transition houses. Not a direct service provider peer but the sector coordination body that My Friend's House would interface with for funding, training, and policy alignment.

Broad incumbents

• YWCA Canada: National federation supporting a network of women's shelters and gender-based violence services across Canada. Comparable in mission and service scope, but operates at a national federation scale rather than a single community shelter.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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 My Friend's House