On September 28, 2021, the AMDF Board of Directors celebrate the unveiling of the Anne Marie D’Amico Community Collective.

In 2017, the North York Women’s Shelter embarked on the most ambitious fundraising initiative in their history – their $3M HER Campaign to make the building more energy efficient, more sustainable and durable, to improve their carbon footprint and significantly reducing their operational costs.

The new state-of-the-art 24,000 sq ft shelter is a one-of-a-kind and a model for all other women’s shelters. Using a trauma informed approach, the facility, procedures, and programs are designed to address the subleties of those affected by violence.

The fully accessible emergency shelter provides outdoor gardens for culturally specific foods and Indigenous medicines, living rooms, tech lounge, meditation room, 2 full kitchens, gym, indoor & outdoor play areas, plus – a first in the Toronto area – a kennel for the residents’ pets.

The Anne Marie D’Amico Community Collective (AMDCC), launched in September 2021, offers wrap around services to women within the North York community who have or are experiencing violence.There are many barriers women face in accessing services with in the community that the AMDCC intends to address including, but not limited to:

  • Trauma-informed support that makes these services accessible to populations that are often denied service (eg. Women living with disabilities, trans women, newcomer women etc.)

  • Having multiple services offered in one place in order to reduce the stress of travel throughout North York or Toronto

  • Support in navigating these complex systems so that women are given appropriate referrals and knowledge as to where to access support.

The NYWS has partnered with Black Creek Community Health to support the primary health care clinic, located inside the AMDCC. This clinic will support shelter residents and community members seeking VAW services. This clinic provides medical care, harm reduction support, counselling, system navigation, and wellness supports.

The Anne Marie D’Amico Foundation (AMDF) is proud to support such an innovative and supportive space for women and children who are healing from the trauma of abuse. Learn more about the NYWS here.