ABOUT US

OUR WORK AND VALUES

The Jean Tweed Centre was established in 1983 and named in honour of Jean Shannon Tweed, a pioneer in advancing women-specific programming. Jean saw the need for a safe and supportive environment for women to address substance use issues, and the Centre began with this same vision and goal.

Today, the Jean Tweed Centre provides counselling and care to over 1,700 women and their families each year, with a focus on helping women overcome challenges with substance use, gambling and mental health.

We achieve this by offering a wide range of services, including:

Residential and day programs
Outpatient programming, including family and trauma-focused counselling
One-on-one counselling
Continuing care and support
Outreach programs for pregnant women and mothers
Outreach programs for incarcerated women and women involved with the justice system
A licensed therapeutic child development centre

OUR VISION

Women and their families are able to live healthy lives.

OUR MISSION

In collaboration, we provide innovative, accessible and effective services to women and their families who experience substance use, mental health, and/or gambling concerns.

OUR VALUES

Women-centred
Strength-based
Trustworthy
Inclusive and equitable
Trauma-informed

THE COMMITMENT

The Jean Tweed Centre recognizes and values the rich diversity of Canadian society and specifically the women, children and families it serves from various communities.

We are committed to working from an inclusive, holistic anti-oppression framework to assist women and their families from various cultures, racialized groups, socio-economic backgrounds, sexual orientation and gender identities with their substance use and/or gambling concerns.

The Jean Tweed Centre is commited to providing accessible services. Our facilities at 215 Evans Avenue in Toronto have been Accessibility Certified by the Rick Hansen Foundation.

OUR IMPACT

For 40 years, the Jean Tweed Centre has provided support, services and a safe place for those who need it most. Each year, we provide counselling and care to over 1,900 women – touching and impacting the lives of 10,000 people including children and their families. By building life skills and healthy habits to overcome challenges with substance use, gambling and mental health concerns, we help women and their families build a new start for a better future.

HOW WE’VE HELPED:

INTAKE PROGRAM

740 women found their path forward through our Intake Program, where their unique needs were assessed and matched with the most appropriate support and services.

SUPPORTIVE AND TRANSITIONAL HOUSING PROGRAMS

218 women were served through our Supportive and Transitional Housing Programs across five locations: Jean Tweed’s own Palmerston House and Broadview, Addictions Supportive Housing (ASH) and Bathurst Street (both in partnership with HLMS), and Elm Avenue Housing (in partnership with the YWCA). Our housing program provides affordable, permanent housing to women-led families facing under-housing and substance use or mental health challenges. Through partnerships, we ensure women access the comprehensive support needed to navigate their recovery and rebuild their lives.

WITHDRAWAL MANAGEMENT

517 women were served through our Withdrawal Management Service, Stabilization & Support Program, and Continuing Care, providing essential support for detoxification, stabilization, and ongoing care to ensure they receive the help needed at every stage of their recovery journey.

PARENTING PROGRAMS

190 women and families were supported through parenting programs such as MK2 Child & Adult Day Treatment, Pathways to Healthy Families, and Strengthening Families, highlighting our holistic approach to recovery, which includes the broader family unit.

JUSTICE PROGRAMS

130 women were supported through our work with those involved in the justice system. These programs included release from custody, addressing issues of addiction, mental health, and reintegration into society.

TELEMEDICINE SERVICES

287 women were served through our Telemedicine services, enabling them to remotely access a Nurse Practitioner for essential health care. This service helped break down barriers for women unable to attend appointments in person, ensuring they received the critical care needed.

COMMUNITY INTENSIVE TREATMENT PROGRAM

268 women were served through our Community Intensive Treatment Program, which provided structured, day-based support for substance use and gambling concerns, offered in a hybrid format with both virtual and in-person options

SUBSTANCE USE LIVE-IN PROGRAMMING

305 women were served through our Substance Use Live-In Programming, which includes Cumberland House and the Broadview Live-In Treatment Program. These programs provide vital live-in care, helping women build a foundation for long-term recovery

WHY WE’RE UNIQUE

WE ARE WOMEN-CENTRED

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WE ARE TRAUMA INFORMED

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WE ARE EXPERTS

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WE ARE WOMEN-CENTRED

Women’s health and mental health needs are affected by factors specific to women’s biology and physiology. An emerging body of research also shows that women’s behaviours, patterns and thinking around substance use and gambling challenges vary significantly from men.

These differences are further compounded by experiences of trauma that many of our clients have, or are currently experiencing. Because of these factors, supporting women with substance use and gambling concerns requires a unique and tailored approach.

The Jean Tweed Centre brings a uniquely women-centered perspective to our work. We are one of only a handful of agencies focusing on the specific health and mental health needs of women in the areas of substance useand gambling.

By bringing a research-based, gender-specific approach to our work and our services, we aim to support the unique strengths and needs of women and their families.

WE ARE TRAUMA-INFORMED

Many women who have substance use, mental health or gambling concerns have experienced some form of trauma in their lives.

Trauma is the lasting emotional response that often results from living through a distressing event, such as childhood physical abuse, or living in a dangerous home. Using substances or gambling can become a coping mechanism.

All of the Jean Tweed Centre’s substance use, gambling and mental health programs are trauma-informed. We understand the role that trauma plays in women’s lives, and we provide a safe and caring environment.

WE ARE EXPERTS

The Jean Tweed Centre integrates clinical wisdom and experience along with the latest research and evidence to inform the design and delivery of our services and enhance client outcomes.

Each year, our work and expertise is strengthened through collaboration with hospitals, community agencies, researchers and supporters. We have also listened to, been informed by, and supported the unique needs of women for more than 35 years.

Through this, our talented and dedicated team has developed deep expertise in how to effectively support women in reaching their goals to overcome challenges with substance use, mental health and gambling concerns.

By-Laws, Financial Statements
& Registered Charity Status

The Jean Tweed Centre’s audited financial statements and by-laws are also available to the public. To request a copy of our by-laws or audited financial statements, please contact us at 416-255-7359 ext. 233.

The Jean Tweed Centre is a registered charity with the Government of Canada (Charitable Number: 118973528 RR0001). You can learn more and access publicly-available reporting on the Jean Tweed’s Centre’s finances and operations on the Canada Revenue Agency’s website.