Ernestine's Women's Shelter provides support and shelter for women and children escaping violence. It aims to rebuild their lives through services that are adapted to individual needs. A group of students visited the shelter and saw a need for donations. They created an advocacy campaign at two childcare centers to educate children and families about Ernestine's needs, and collect donated items like clothing, diapers and baby supplies. The campaign was successful in raising awareness and gathering many bags of essential goods for the shelter. The students used their skills as early childhood educators to engage children and advocate for the organization in a meaningful way.

1. FIELD WORK ASSIGNMENT 1
Field Work Assignment
Community Development in Early Childhood
ECS 3070 01
Rachel Baker, Olivia Cover, Naomi Faroogh, Fizangiz (Fira) Husseynly
0818690, 0794632, 0863282, 0801249
Christine Zupo
March 23, 2015
16 Pages

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Research Focus
Overview of the Community Organization
Mission
Ernestine's Women's Shelter is an organization run by women and provides support and
shelter for women and children escaping violence. Ernestine's assists women and children in
rebuilding their lives by providing crisis intervention and a range of holistic support services,
while acknowledging the multitude of issues facing survivors of abuse. Ernestine's adapts its
services to honour diversity and the unique needs of the individual. Ernestine's promotes
awareness, education and advocates for early intervention and prevention (Ernestine’s Women’s
Shelter, 2012).
Guiding Principles
Ernestine's Women's Shelter recognizes the impact of violence on children and
acknowledges that the rights of children are separate and distinct from their parents. Ernestine's
recognizes each woman's right to self-determination. Ernestine's acknowledges that violence can
be physical, emotional, psychological and sexual. Ernestine's is managed by shared leadership
and is a participatory organization accountable to our Board of Directors and Stakeholders.
Ernestine's operates from a feminist, anti-racism, anti-oppression framework (Ernestine’s
Women’s Shelter, 2012).
Ernestine's Culture
An Anti-Racism and Anti-Oppression Framework
A perspective that confronts all aspects of injustice and inequality within society’s
institutions, structure, systems and practices and is intended to understand and eradicate racism

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and oppression in all of its forms. Ernestine’s strives to provide accessible, appropriate and
relevant services to children, youth and women within an anti-racism anti-oppression framework.
They value the identity of each individual who has experienced and/or witnessed violence.
Ernestine’s provides client centred and supportive counseling and planning for you and your
children that is respectful in a space that is becoming increasingly accessible:
 Access to external interpretive services
 Access to culturally specific food
 A range of culturally appropriate programming
 Appropriate referrals to community agencies
 Social Action committee
 Ramps at main entrances
 2 Barrier free bedrooms and bathrooms
 Accommodation for support person
 Accommodations for service animals
 TTY , elevator and some automatic door openers
 Facility was built in 2006 in compliance with the Ontario Building Code (1997)
 Access to First Nations Elders for counselling and support (Ernestine’s Women’s Shelter,
2012).
MissionStatement Analysis
Ernestine’s Women Shelter states it helps women and children through services that are
adapted to diversity. This indicates a Social Capital network of relationships that creates value
for its community (Zupo, 2015). There must be trust, participation, action, and shared resources

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to create a Social Capital environment (Zupo, 2015). Ernestine’s demonstrates this through the
support, counselling, and programs they offer such as homework club, mother and child
exercises, and 24 hour counselling.
Community Capacity Building is also immanent at Ernestine’s. The shelters mission is
focused on rebuilding the lives of women and children. This innovation signifies their
importance of process. In Community Capacity Building, process is as important as the outcome
(Zupo, 2015), which is seen at Ernestine’s through their programming, counselling, and wellness
activities provided.
Ernestine’s mission is to provide a range of holistic support services for the needs of the
women and children they assist. This is based off of the Asset Based Model, which focuses on
individual strengths to discover community capacities and assets (Zupo, 2015). The shelter does
this through identifying capacities and gifts, and building upon individual strengths to create
services to help with the rebuilding and development of lives. This approach reflects the Asset-
Based Community Development (ABCD) model, which is a method that values social capital,
participatory paradigm, and active engagement (Zupo, 2015). Ernestine’s represents this model
through its services available (meetings, support groups, counselling), its empowerment and
individual participation (health, exercise, activities), and its contributions to society (assisting
women and children with escaping violence and rebuilding lives).
The Community Development Principles (CD Principles) are prominent in Ernestine’s
mission. The CD Principles consist of social justice, valuing, and global and local principles
(Zupo, 2015). The shelter addresses human rights and disadvantage through their philosophy of
the impact of violence. They tackle this through a feminist, anti-racist, anti-oppression

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framework, which reflects the CD Principles through their mission, support services, and
programming and events.
Volunteer Opportunities
How does one become a volunteer?
Khadija Kathy Ali, is the Coordinator of Community Engagement and Volunteer
Services. She can be contacted either by phone or by email. Once in contact she will send you an
information package to get you started and answer any questions and support you in finding
which volunteer position is right for you. Another way of applying is online by viewing current
positions and filling out the Volunteer Application form. A cover letter indicating the position
applied for and why you want to volunteer with Ernestine’s and your updated resume is required
(Ernestine’s Women’s Shelter, 2012).
Khadija Contact Information (Ernestine’s Women’s Shelter, 2012):
Phone: 416-743-1733 x 2033
Email: khadija@ernestines.ca
Fax: 416-743-1732
What opportunities are available for work?
There are many different ways to volunteer with Ernestine’s. One can volunteer for Ernestine’s
without coming into the shelter; this is called the Virtual Volunteer position (Ernestine’s
Women’s Shelter, 2012). For example, one can create a food, clothing, or a penny drive in their
community. Then all the proceeds will be donated to Ernestine’s.

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An Overview of the Stakeholders
Van Marle
A community activist that came from Belgium thirty years ago when there were no
services for women and children who are in violent and abusive situations. Ernestine’s was part
of a collective of about nineteen women who all took women and children into their homes and
this is the original stakeholder who knew the importance of protecting women and children.
The model remains the same today where Ernestine's is one big house where women with
various skill sets are protecting women and children who are fleeing from violence and abusive
situations. The model today is a volunteer Board of Directors who are connected to businesses
that can advocate for the shelter and the one model Executive Director who oversees the
operation of the day to day business at the shelter.
Ernestine's holds an annual Gala each year where all the supporters and stakeholders
from the past thirty years gather to contribute to the fundraiser that goes towards the programs
and services that are provided at the shelter. Some of the stakeholders are from major banks and
businesses like, RBC, TD Bank Group, Deloitte, PWC, CIBC, and many other stakeholders that
contribute. Ernestine's also has community partners as the strategic plan is building Partnerships,
Education and Fundraising. Some of the important community partners are Woodbine Shopping
Centre/ Fantasy Fair, Rexdale Community Health Centre, Rexdale Hub, Rexdale Women's
Center and Humber College, University of Guelph Humber, York University and local
elementary and high schools. Ernestine's knows the importance of having strong stakeholders
that continue to support the shelter each and every day.

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Ext. Marketing Inc.
Role: A results-oriented marketing company that acts as an extension to Ernestine’s to help them
complete their marketing projects; on time and on budget. They provide affordable strategic
marketing services and execution for companies that don’t have marketing resources available to
complete the job themselves.
Self-Interest: They are proud to be an extension of Ernestine’s community, which is why they
support the work of the shelter
The United Way of Toronto
Role: Has a long history of assisting our community by financially contributing to community
agencies, programs and shelters. Ernestine's has participated in the United Way Turf Race, CN
Tower Climb, Rouge Event and much more. All proceeds of money raised goes towards
Ernestine’s fundraising target.
Self-Interest: Dedicated to creating the opportunities women and children need to improve their
lives and build a better future.
The Basketeers
Role: A community run of volunteers that distribute baskets of essentials to 39 supporting
shelters. Ernestine’s has received over 100 baskets for the women they serve since partnering.
Self-Interest: Their concept is to support women in new beginnings. They feel by supporting
mothers, they will, in turn, find the strength to create new lives for themselves and their children
and not return to the abuser.

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Albion Islington Square BIA
Role: Organizes a number of wonderful activities for Ernestine’s annual awareness campaign.
For each of the community events, Albion Islington Square BIA has generously donated space at
events for Ernestine's.
Self-Interest: Intend to promote and build awareness on issues of violence against women and
resources available.
Canadian Woman’s Foundation
Role: Ernestine’s relationship with CWF began in 2006, when for the first time staff, clients and
volunteers of Ernestine’s participated in Shelter from the Storm, CWF’s national campaign
dedicated to ending violence against women. This campaign raises money to support Ernestine’s
and more than 400 shelters for abused women and their children across Canada
Self-Interest: They seek to empower women and girls in Canada to move out of violence, out of
poverty, and into confidence.
Capital One
Role: An important corporate donor of Ernestine’s since 2006. They identified “children at risk”
as an important area they wanted to support, and that has been clearly demonstrated by their
ongoing funding of our Child and Youth program. Children who witness or experience violence
and abuse are severely impacted by it and without proper support, are at risk of becoming
withdrawn, depressed and possibly violent.
Self-Interest: Believe in the importance of supporting children and women at risk of domestic
violence

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Intercontinental Toronto Yorkville
Role: Has been partnering with Ernestine’s for over four years. The staff annually raise money
for the shelter through a variety of their own fundraising events – Ernestine’s Elixir, a featured
patio drink that donates $1 for every one sold back to Ernestine’s. They plan an annual trip to
Ernestine’s to service dinner for the women and children at the shelter. The hotel provides
restaurant linen and the culinary team prepares a wonderful 3-course meal.
Self-Interest: Hotel, management team, and staff are proud of the efforts and contributions to
Ernestine’s to promote and support women and children in violent situations.
TJX Canada/Winners
Role: Every summer for the past few years Winners has organized a wonderful day of summer
food and fun for the women and children of Ernestine’s. A group of volunteers from Winner’s
come to Ernestine’s to cook up some fabulous food, play with the children and converse with the
women and enjoy a pleasant afternoon in Ernestine’s backyard. Winners provide all activities,
food and entertainment. In addition to the summer BBQ, Winner’s provides gift cards,
merchandise for seasonal clothing and Christmas.
Self-Interest: Associates strongly support programs that assist disadvantaged women and
children.
Woodbine Entertainment Group
Role: Woodbine Entertainment Group is one of only two not-for-profit corporations that are
members of Imagine Canada, a national program that promotes public and corporate giving,
volunteerism and support to the community. Ernestine’s is proud of their relationship with WEG

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and their generous donation of time and talent to their cause. They assist many charitable
organizations and community programs with financial donations, sponsorships and in-kind
contributions.
Self-Interest: They are proud of the contribution they make to Ernestine’s. Whether it is by
providing volunteers for an event, highlighting the organization at Community Day or
sponsoring the Ernestine Affair, they believe in helping the women and children living at
Ernestine to have a better, safer life.
Analysis/Advocacy Strategy
Our field work led us to use various advocacy strategies as we built a campaign which
supported Ernestine’s Women Shelter. When we first visited Ernestine’s Women Shelter,
Khadija, the volunteer intake coordinator encouraged us to be ambassadors for Ernestine’s
Women Shelter and build a campaign that would support Ernestine’s. After visiting the shelter
and consulting with Khadija, we brainstormed the needs of the shelter as well as our strengths,
and sought to build a campaign to meet those needs.
As early childhood educators, we recognized a great need for baby and women essentials
as well as clothing. In turn, we decided to hold a campaign and drive which would educate
children and families in childcare centres about Ernestine’s Women Shelter as well as collect
items which would be useful for the women and families at Ernestine’s. We used our network
connections to connect with two for-profit childcare centres in affluent areas where families may
have surplus of goods to donate.
We began by sharing our ideas with Khadija and receiving her consent to go ahead with
the campaign we planned. We then began by emailing the supervisors of both childcare centres

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and sharing about our mission to raise awareness for Ernestine’s while collecting goods. We
used emails as an advocacy strategy. The email is attached.
The type of advocacy we focused on was an informational form of advocacy. We
educated parents about Ernestine’s Women Shelter through the use of email, both professional
and personal to individual parents, through the use of posters, pamphlets and child-friendly
bookmarks. The emails and posters talked about the needs that Ernestine’s Women Shelter has as
well as a brief description about Ernestine’s. The pamphlets and bookmarks had further
information and Ernestine’s hotline for women who may be or may find themselves in the future
in abusive situations.
Our informational strategy also involved conducting a lesson plan where we taught the
children at the childcare centres about the needs in our community. Although we refrained from
teaching the children about abuse, we did teach the children that there are mothers and children
at Ernestine’s who are not as fortunate as we are who all live together in one big home. We also
taught what giving means and how fortunate we are to have a place to go to school, and a home
to live in and food to eat. Finally, we had the children talk about and contribute their ideas about
what the families will need. We drew colouring sheets for the children which helped the children
visualize what Ernestine’s Women shelter looks like and the baby essentials that children need.
The campaign was overwhelmingly successful. When we visited the childcare centres
and had circle time with the JK/SK’s we had the children brainstorm all the things a baby would
need. Fortunately the families had donated all the items the children brainstormed and we were
able to pull out each item from the bags and celebrate that the children at Ernestine’s will receive
all the things they need. The families donated so many goods that we had to take three trips to
reach all the goods to Ernestine’s! Amongst bags and bags of new and gently used infant,

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children and women’s clothing and shoes the families donated pacifiers, bottles, bottle warmers,
bibs, blankets, linen, diapers, women care products, a beautiful crib, a play pen, three car seats
and two strollers! We made outmost care to take the time to email or personally thank the
families for their contributions.
All in all, we were humbled to see how we could use our strengths as early childhood
educators to target a unique population of children and teach them about giving. Not only are we
bringing up the children to be world citizens, we are creating awareness in our community about
Ernestine’s Women Shelter, the resources they provide and the ways in which we can support
them as a community. It was a truly rewarding experience.
Email Used for Advocacy
Dear Supervisors and Parent/Guardians,
We are a group of third year Early Childhood Guelph-Humber University students. Our
Community Development course has given us the opportunity to choose a community
organization within the early learning and care field to analyze key concepts we have been
exploring in class. Our mission is to identify change efforts using a research based cost/benefit
analysis to create a communication strategy to advocate for support of the organizations change
efforts.
As a group we decided on Ernestine’s Women’s Shelter. We had the chance to visit the
organization, which showed us the realities of many situations women and children endure in
their lives. As we were taken on a tour and given information about the shelter, we realized that
there is a great need for donations at the centre. After we left the centre, we took the time to
brainstorm a way in which we could contribute to advocating for the organization and gathering

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donations for them through a campaign. We decided on a child-friendly project in an effort to
spread awareness to children at a young age and gather necessities the organization needs.
Our campaign will last two weeks starting on February 23rd 2015 and ending on March
6th 2015. During this time, we will have donation boxes available for those willing to give.
Ernestine’s Woman Shelter is in severe need of used children and women’s clothing. They also
require baby essentials such as diapers, bottles, pacifiers, bibs, and wipes. Any possible small
donation will be valuable and greatly appreciated. On March 3rd 2015, we will make a visit to
each centre implementing a related and appropriate learning experience for the children. In the
lesson we will talk about the impact the children will have on the lives of other children and
discuss the various items children brought and how they will help another family.
We are grateful to have been given the opportunity to run this campaign at Radiant Way
and Montessori North School. We are looking forward to reaching out to the individuals at
Ernestine’s through spreading awareness and gathering essentials needed for the organization.
Each and every single one of us can impact and make a difference in the lives of others, and for
this, we are inspired to share this opportunity with you.
Kindest regards,
Fira Husseynly, Naomi Faroogh, Olivia Cover, and Rachel Baker
Students from the University of Guelph-Humber
Cost Benefit Analysis
A Cost Benefit Analysis generally involves comparing the estimated benefit of a policy
to the estimated social cost of a policy (Dodd & Rivera, 2003, p.109). Cost benefit analysis are
by nature measuring monetary benefits and costs to society. We have attached a year end

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financial statement made by Ernestine’s Women Shelter which shows the responsible way in
which Ernestine’s has accounted for all monetary transactions. As Cost Benefit Analysis are
monetary by nature, they fail to account for social rewards that cannot be accounted for in a
monetary account. Below we have attempted to describe the monetary costs of our campaign as
well as the social rewards.
Costs
Cost of time - volunteer led campaign - loss of paid time at work for volunteers
Cost of materials - pamphlets/posters/bookmarks/children’s colouring sheets/plastic boxes/bags
Cost of transportation - 3 trips made from Markham to Etobicoke, cost of gas/ 407ETR
Cost of donated goods - Members of the community who bought new items / gave away items
Benefits / Rewards
In return for the time we took to plan and implement the campaign and incur various
costs to ourselves and the affluent community which donated goods, Ernestine’s Women’s
Shelter received so much that Khadija, the volunteer intake coordinator told us when we dropped
off the goods, “You will be helping HUNDREDS of families with all this!”
Although we did not take the time to count the items, we can be certain that there
certainly must have been approximately 50-100 brand new articles of clothing along with
hundreds of gently used children and women’s clothes that we had to take three trips! The
families also donated a beautiful crib, a playpen, two strollers, three carseats, diapers, brand new
baby bottles, pacifiers, bibs and much more. The monetary benefit of carrying out a campaign
turned out to be much larger than what we would have anticipated if we had simply attempted to
raise money for Ernestine’s. The amount of stuff we collected, combined would have easily cost
over a thousand dollars.

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However, the monetary benefits simply cannot do justice to the social benefit that our
campaign had on children and families. The staff and women at Ernestine’s felt that their needs
were met as we listened to them carefully and worked to meet a need in their community with
our campaign. For example, when we shared with the staff at Ernestine’s that a mother in our
community would like to donate a crib, the staff at Ernestine’s shared that there were many
infants in their care and an expecting mother who could use the crib. In turn, we shared this with
our community and many families went out of their way to by brand new infant clothing, onesies
and diapers. The women at Ernestine’s knew that we really cared, which had a positive impact
for Ernestine’s.
Additionally, working closely with Ernestine’s to carry out the campaign, we personally
learned so much about abuse against women and were empowered as women with new
knowledge. The social benefit is that we shall be protected from abuse in the future after gaining
knowledge about what abuse is and what the early signs of abuse look like. Additionally, we
desired to share our new learning with others. We did so by sharing pamphlets and bookmarks
with families at the two childcare centres we worked with.
Another social reward was teaching the children about giving at the two childcare centres
as well as teaching the children indirectly about poverty. We shared with the children how many
children do not have all the many things we do like a home or food to eat or even TVs! The
chidden were so compassionate and excited to share their thoughts about all the things those
children who are less fortunate then them will need. In turn, we are building children to better
citizens for the future!
*Please see attached financial statement made by Ernestine’s Women Shelter.

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References
Dodd, S., & Rivera, H. P. (2003). Addition and subtraction. The Social Policy Journal, 2(2-3),
107-121. doi:10.1300/J185v02n02_07
Ernestine’s Women Shelter. (2010). Retrieved from http://www.ernestines.ca/
Zupo, C. (2015). Community development. Lecture conducted at University of Guelph-Humber.
Toronto: ON.