Long Term Outcome

Working in prevention by engaging men, we promote healing and help to reduce violence, creating healthy and safe relationships.

Headshot of man wearing glasses and green shirt outdoors.
A man with grey hair and a beard sitting in a group setting listening to someone talk

Ultimate Outcome

Healthy and safe families.

Our History

Since 1978, Women’s Crisis Services of Waterloo Region has been working to end domestic violence. We have learned that, in order to accomplish this, we need to work with the whole family.

Keeping women and children safe is at the heart of our work. We work to support each family member in the way they need it, to address root causes, advocate for systemic change, establish stability and safety, and work towards learning newer and healthier strategies of being in relationships.

In the fall of 2023, Women’s Crisis Services of Waterloo Region launched an innovative, community-based program to meet the needs of families in Waterloo Region impacted by domestic violence.

Engaging Men offers free, non-judgmental support to men who have used harm within their family relationships. Since its inception, Engaging Men has served over 100 men in Waterloo Region who have come forward voluntarily to develop healthier and safer relationships as partners and/or fathers.

Through individual support, group dialogue, and community education, the Engaging Men program is creating safer families, one man at a time.

An older man with a beard and a hat, having a conversation with a younger man with a beard, while both are leaning on a wooden railing, they are both smiling or laughing
1%

of clients would recommend Engaging Men to someone in their life

1%

of clients felt they learned better ways to approach conflict

1%

of clients experience overall satisfaction with the program

Meet our Team

Behind Engaging Men is a team of dedicated professionals who chose this work because they believe in people’s capacity to change. Social workers, counsellors, educators, and community advocates — each member of our team brings a unique perspective, and a shared commitment to meeting men where they are and helping them move forward.

Client Testimonial

"I have had only 3 meetings with my counsellor, however I feel very confident that he has the skills and understanding to guide me through this healing journey I am facing. He has allowed me to feel safe and not judged, he has help me recognize some things through visualization. I feel like he understands my need to rebuild my life with my wife and family. He is very encouraging to my ideals and helps me focus on my needs. I think this program is very important to people like me, as without it, I don't know where I would be. I feel my counsellor and the program are life savers."