Women’s Crisis Services of Waterloo Region celebrated the grand opening of a new Smilezone at its Cambridge shelter on Wednesday, to support children moving beyond violence.
Donated by Smilezone Foundation, and with the support from founders Mark and Michelle Trombley, the bright, fun Smilezone dubbed ‘Haven Treehouse’, includes murals, sensory development equipment, kid-friendly technology and interactive spaces.
Smilezone Foundation commits to improving the lives of children receiving medical treatment at health facilities across Canada.
Through partnerships with hospitals, community centres, and other organizations, the registered charity, based in Oakville, creates accessible, fun, and therapeutic environments for children to heal and thrive.
To support children moving beyond violence, the new new child-focused space at Haven House is designed to offer children and families a welcoming experience during their stay at the emergency shelter.
“We are so excited and grateful to add the Haven Treehouse to our Cambridge shelter so we can continue supporting kids through play in a brand, new way.” Said Jennifer Hutton, CEO of Women’s Crisis Services of Waterloo Region (WCSWR).
“We can’t thank our long-time Cambridge supporters, Mark and Michelle Trombley, enough for this incredible addition to our emergency shelter.”
Smilezone believes every child deserves to smile, no matter their circumstances. Over a single weekend, the organization's team transformed the Haven House common space into a Smilezone.
"Smilezone Foundation is truly thrilled to be a part of this exciting renovation at Women's Crisis Services of Waterloo Region,” said Scott Bachly, chair of the Smilezone Foundation.
“We are delighted with the new Smilezone, giving children and their families a reason to smile during their stay in shelter."
WCSWR empowers women, gender-diverse individuals and children to move beyond domestic violence through the provision of safe shelter, outreach services, prevention and education.
The organization operates two shelters, Anselma House in Kitchener and Haven House in Cambridge, and offers regional outreach services, prevention programming and transitional housing.
Each year, Women’s Crisis Services of Waterloo Region supports over 400 women and children through both emergency shelters.
From January 2022 to December 2023, Women's Crisis Services supported 198 children at Haven House which accounted for 46 per cent of clients supported at this location.
"We have multiple programs to support children living in shelter, all intended to prevent the cycle of violence and to help children heal from the trauma they have experienced. In the past few years, sadly we have seen violence increase," Hutton said.
"We are so grateful that now we are able to add the Haven Treehouse to our Cambridge emergency shelter as we continue to support children through play with this incredible addition."
Through supporting children, Hutton says WCSWR also supports mothers as they go through their own brave and difficult journey
"It is our priority to support all clients and we can't forget about the youngest members of the Women's Crisis Services community," she said
"This new space gives moms peace of mind that their children, are engaged, safe, and are able to use play to escape their worries and focus on just on being kids."
