Tiny Homes, Big Impact

Tiny Homes, Big Impact

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A Community Campaign for Safety and Independence

Stratford and Perth County is facing a reality we can no longer ignore. Hundreds of women, children—and often their pets—turn to local services every year looking for a safe place to go after experiencing violence in the home. Too many are met with long waitlists. Too many in our community are forced to choose between homelessness, poverty, or returning to someone who has harmed them.
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A Community Campaign for Safety and Independence

Stratford and Perth County is facing a reality we can no longer ignore. Hundreds of women, children—and often their pets—turn to local services every year looking for a safe place to go after experiencing violence in the home. Too many are met with long waitlists. Too many in our community are forced to choose between homelessness, poverty, or returning to someone who has harmed them.

The Emily Murphy Centre has been here for 36 years, offering second-stage, transitional housing and support to families rebuilding their lives after violence. We have helped more than 2,500 families regain stability. But the demand has outpaced our ability to help. The need has become more urgent, and our waitlist keeps growing.

We know our community can be a great place to live and raise a family, and that is why we are reaching out. We need your help to build five Tiny Homes on our existing land: safe, private, purpose built spaces that give women and children the time and dignity they deserve to move from crisis to stability.

Our proposed $1.2 Million campaign is not only about buildings. It is about safety, independence, and the kind of community we want to be. When safe, stable housing isn’t available, the risks increase. Survivors are often forced into impossible choices: returning to an unsafe situation, struggling to make ends meet, or facing homelessness. None of these outcomes protect children, and none interrupt the cycle of violence.

The Emily Murphy Centre has been here for 36 years, offering second-stage, transitional housing and support to families rebuilding their lives after violence. We have helped more than 2,500 families regain stability. But the demand has outpaced our ability to help. The need has become more urgent, and our waitlist keeps growing.

We know our community can be a great place to live and raise a family, and that is why we are reaching out. We need your help to build five Tiny Homes on our existing land: safe, private, purpose built spaces that give women and children the time and dignity they deserve to move from crisis to stability.

Our proposed $1.2 Million campaign is not only about buildings. It is about safety, independence, and the kind of community we want to be. When safe, stable housing isn’t available, the risks increase. Survivors are often forced into impossible choices: returning to an unsafe situation, struggling to make ends meet, or facing homelessness. None of these outcomes protect children, and none interrupt the cycle of violence.

Every year, more than 2,000 women reach out for help to escape violence in the home in Perth County. On any given day, 15–30 families are waiting for a safe second-stage unit. Some wait up to four years.
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calls to women's shelters and crisis lines
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domestic-violence calls to police
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women and children living in shelters or second-stage units
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families waiting for second-stage housing

This is not a distant issue, it’s a local one, and it’s a problem we can help solve.
These are not ‘numbers’. These are friends. Your co-workers. Parents at the rink or playground. Community members looking for a fair chance to rebuild their lives.

Every year, more than 2,000 women reach out for help to escape violence in the home in Perth County. On any given day, 15–30 families are waiting for a safe second-stage unit. Some wait up to four years.
0
calls to women's shelters and crisis lines
0
domestic-violence calls to police
0
women and children living in shelters or second-stage units
0
families waiting for second-stage housing

This is not a distant issue, it’s a local one, and it’s a problem we can help solve.
These are not ‘numbers’. These are friends. Your co-workers. Parents at the rink or playground. Community members looking for a fair chance to rebuild their lives.

Five Tiny Homes

for Safety and Independence

The Emily Murphy Centre already provides 20 apartments where women and children can stay up to a year or longer while they regain their footing. They rebuild routines, attend school, get counselling, secure employment, and begin healing. But we need more room.

Five Tiny Homes

for Safety and Independence

The Emily Murphy Centre already provides 20 apartments where women and children can stay up to a year or longer while they regain their footing. They rebuild routines, attend school, get counselling, secure employment, and begin healing. But we need more room.

Safety and Privacy

Each unit will be fully self-contained with a kitchen, bathroom, and sleeping space—an environment where women and children can breathe, recover, and build independence.

A Supportive Community

Tiny Homes residents will have priority access to counselling, life-skills programs, employment support, peer connections, and court support.

A Practical, Sustainable Solution

Tiny Homes are cost-effective to build and maintain, environmentally responsible, and a smart use of our land. They allow us to serve more families quickly and responsibly.

A Clear, Achievable Vision

These homes are a direct investment in safety, stability, and long-term community well-being.

Safety and Privacy

Each unit will be fully self-contained with a kitchen, bathroom, and sleeping space—an environment where women and children can breathe, recover, and build independence.

A Supportive Community

Tiny Homes residents will have priority access to counselling, life-skills programs, employment support, peer connections, and court support.

A Practical, Sustainable Solution

Tiny Homes are cost-effective to build and maintain, environmentally responsible, and a smart use of our land. They allow us to serve more families quickly and responsibly.

A Clear, Achievable Vision

These homes are a direct investment in safety, stability, and long-term community well-being.

Safe housing is not only a personal need—it is a community responsibility.

Safe housing is not only a personal need—it is a community responsibility.

Impact for Families and the Community

For Women and Children:

  • Time to heal – without fear of losing their housing.
  • A stable base for school, work, health appointments, and rebuilding daily life.
  • Support from trained staff who understand trauma and recovery.
  • A bridge to permanent housing and independence.

For the Community:

  • Reduced pressure on emergency shelters and police services.
  • Fewer families pushed into homelessness or poverty.
  • Long-term economic benefits, including reduced strain on healthcare and social services.
  • A safer, healthier region where families can recover and rebuild.

Impact for Families and the Community

For Women and Children:

  • Time to heal – without fear of losing their housing.
  • A stable base for school, work, health appointments, and rebuilding daily life.
  • Support from trained staff who understand trauma and recovery.
  • A bridge to permanent housing and independence.

For the Community:

  • Reduced pressure on emergency shelters and police services.
  • Fewer families pushed into homelessness or poverty.
  • Long-term economic benefits, including reduced strain on healthcare and social services.
  • A safer, healthier region where families can recover and rebuild.
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A Centre with a Proven Record

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A Centre with a Proven Record

For more than 36 years, the Emily Murphy Centre has worked quietly and steadily to support women and children leaving violence. Who we serve includes:

  • More than 50 families each year in residence and outreach
  • 60 families not currently in residence
  • Women who choose not to enter shelter and second stage but still need support
  • Families Facing Barriers in Finding Safe, Affordable Housing
With strong community relationships, a stable Board of Directors, and over 20 years of leadership from Executive Director Lisa Wilde, the Centre is trusted, reliable, and deeply rooted in Stratford and Perth County.

For more than 36 years, the Emily Murphy Centre has worked quietly and steadily to support women and children leaving violence. Who we serve includes:

  • More than 50 families each year in residence and outreach
  • 60 families not currently in residence
  • Women who choose not to enter shelter and second stage but still need support
  • Families Facing Barriers in Finding Safe, Affordable Housing
With strong community relationships, a stable Board of Directors, and over 20 years of leadership from Executive Director Lisa Wilde, the Centre is trusted, reliable, and deeply rooted in Stratford and Perth County.
"The Emily Murphy Centre gave me and my children a chance to breathe again. A Tiny Home would mean independence, dignity, and the ability to truly start over."
– EMC Former Resident
"The Emily Murphy Centre gave me and my children a chance to breathe again. A Tiny Home would mean independence, dignity, and the ability to truly start over."
– EMC Former Resident

A Community Campaign: $1.2 Million

Thanks to a partnership with Blue Branch and NOWHomes, the Tiny Homes — the structure and materials — are being donated. This remarkable generosity equalling $600,000 reflects the best in our community. It has helped to launch our campaign with 50% of the required funding already secured to achieve our goal.

But, we still need to raise funds for the remaining 50% for:

  • Installation and site preparation
  • Roofing, siding, plumbing, trusses, fencing
  • Landscaping, security, utility connections
  • Infrastructure for one double unit and four single units

By supporting this campaign, you are standing with survivors and making it clear that Perth County believes in safety, dignity, and second chances. You are helping build homes, but more importantly, you are helping build futures.

This project only moves forward with local support. The families we serve are part of your community and your donation builds this community. It becomes a front door, a warm kitchen, and a secure place to sleep.

A Community Campaign: $1.2 Million

Thanks to a partnership with Blue Branch and NOWHomes, the Tiny Homes — the structure and materials — are being donated. This remarkable generosity equalling $600,000 reflects the best in our community. It has helped to launch our campaign with 50% of the required funding already secured to achieve our goal.

But, we still need to raise funds for the remaining 50% for:

  • Installation and site preparation
  • Roofing, siding, plumbing, trusses, fencing
  • Landscaping, security, utility connections
  • Infrastructure for one double unit and four single units

By supporting this campaign, you are standing with survivors and making it clear that Perth County believes in safety, dignity, and second chances. You are helping build homes, but more importantly, you are helping build futures.

This project only moves forward with local support. The families we serve are part of your community and your donation builds this community. It becomes a front door, a warm kitchen, and a secure place to sleep.

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By supporting this campaign, you are standing with survivors and making it clear that Perth County believes in safety, dignity, and second chances. You are helping build homes, but more importantly, you are helping build futures.

Donate Online
Scan the code or visit CanadaHelps to make a secure online donation.

Donate by E-Transfer
Send to info@emilymurphycentre.com. Please include your name and address in the message field so we can issue a tax receipt.

Donate by Cheque
Make payable to the Emily Murphy Centre and mail to 67 Barron St., Stratford, ON N4Z 1G9. Please include your name and address for your tax receipt.

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By supporting this campaign, you are standing with survivors and making it clear that Perth County believes in safety, dignity, and second chances. You are helping build homes, but more importantly, you are helping build futures.

Donate Online
Scan the code or visit CanadaHelps to make a secure online donation.

Donate by E-Transfer
Send to info@emilymurphycentre.com. Please include your name and address in the message field so we can issue a tax receipt.

Donate by Cheque
Make payable to the Emily Murphy Centre and mail to 67 Barron St., Stratford, ON N4Z 1G9. Please include your name and address for your tax receipt.

Together, we can give women, children, and their pets the stability they deserve. Together, we can create a community where rebuilding is possible.

Together, we can give women, children, and their pets the stability they deserve. Together, we can create a community where rebuilding is possible.