Crisis Line: 1-877-800-2272
Crisis Line: 1-888-709-7090
Help Centre: help@carahouse.com
opened in 1991
Our History
Cara Transition House was opened in 1991 as a safe haven for women and children who are fleeing violence. Planning work and lobbying began years earlier with significant involvement of the Gander Status of Women. In 1987 a committee was formed with the goal of establishing a Transition House in Central Newfoundland. The name âCaraâ was chosen as it means âa friendâ. This seemed an appropriate name for a place that would be a safe haven for women and children who were escaping violence.
Today, Cara Transition House is operated by a volunteer Board of Directors comprised of 7 dedicated community members from the Central Region.  The Executive Director is also and ex-officio member of the Board. Staff and Board work in collaboration to achieve the goals of the organization. Each is involved in determining new policies and revisiting current ones for the shelter and its residents.
The current Human Resource team consists of 4 full time Counselors/Crisis Workers, 1 full time Child Service worker, 5 call-in workers and a full time Executive Director. Shelter staff not only responds to the immediate safety needs of our residents, they also fill the roles of: advocate; life skills coach; and outreach worker.
live without fear of violence
Our Philosophy
We believe it is the basic human right for every woman to live in a non violent environment.
We believe assault of women is a crime that crosses all class, cultural and ethnic boundaries. It is a social problem, not a private matter. Therefore, all levels of government and society must share in the responsibility to eliminate violence and provide protection to women under the law.
We believe no woman should be forced to remain in a violent or abusive home because of lack of alternatives.
We believe that women have the right to integrity of the person, including the right to make informed choices among alternatives in oneâs own life decisions.
We believe that violence that arises in a relationship is based on an unequal distribution of power. Violence is one form of demonstrating power over another, and that power differential has historical roots. Tradition, laws and attitudes exist against women in our society that support wife assault and every attempt should be made to eliminate these inequalities.
We acknowledge that some groups of women e.g. Visible minorities, immigrant women, aboriginal women, women with disabilities and poor women face double oppression because of discrimination.
We recognize that it is a basic human right for each individual to live free and without fear of violence.