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About Shelter Movers Ottawa

Established in October 2017, Shelter Movers Ottawa (SMO) was the second chapter to open and has since grown exponentially! SMO works with referral agencies across the city and is regularly adding more as they expand their reach.

Gender-based violence doesn’t end at the city limits. In a review of over 600 communities, the national average rate of police-reported violence against women (VAW) per 100,000 was 1,114. In the rural counties surrounding Ottawa, such as the corridor from Brockville to Smiths Falls, the rate has risen to almost double the national average.

In response, Shelter Movers Ottawa expanded services to Lanark County in October 2022 and Leeds & Grenville County in April 2024. Shelter Movers Ottawa completes, on average, 22 moves a month and at least 2 of those moves serve survivors in the rural Eastern Ontario area.

Volunteer

We are currently seeking volunteers for the following:

Movers & Drivers

Careers

We are currently seeking applicants for the following roles:

Leeds Grenville Rural Extension Coordinator

No open positions at this time.

Many of Ottawa’s dedicated volunteers have been on board since the beginning and there are more and more every day. Ottawa has an amazing team and a great network of corporate and community partners.

Volunteering for rural moves brings new challenges, but if you’re ready to accept them, SMO is looking for YOU!

Shelter Movers is always looking for rural residents to join their team of over 100 volunteers. Volunteers are needed for drivers, movers, and coordinators, as well as suppliers of trucks, gas, and moving supplies for rural moves. Rural moves involve longer drives and homes are often larger than city apartments, but SMO knows the community is up to the challenge!

To sign up as a volunteer please visit: Our Volunteer Page

To request a move please visit: Request A Move

For information on how to donate please visit: Donations

SMO Extensions

Lanark County

Lanark County Extension

Serving survivors in rural communities including the Carleton Place, Perth, Lanark, and surrounding areas.

Learn more

Leeds & Grenville County

Leeds & Grenville County Extension

Serving survivors in rural communities including the Smiths Falls, Kemptville, Brockville, and surrounding areas.

Learn more

Ottawa Blog

2024 In Focus: New Developments for Shelter Movers

30 January 2024

Shelter Movers has achieved so much in our first eight years thanks to our generous community of volunteers, donors, agencies, and community partners. There remains,

Intergenerational Traumas and Its Impact

18 September 2023

Many individuals have experienced trauma in their lives, however, not many people are aware of intergenerational trauma and its effects which can be transferred from

Social Media: A double edged sword for survivors of intimate partner violence

19 June 2023

In today’s world it’s never been easier to connect with others and share your life experiences. Social media has deeply ingrained itself into our everyday

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In Other News...

"Aidons avec des meubles travaillent main dans la main avec Shelter Movers Ottawa. Cet organisme accompagne les femmes victimes de violence conjugale et leurs enfants en offrant des services de déménagement. Il faut savoir que ces personnes quittent souvent leur domicile rapidement seulement avec quelques effets personnels."

"Wendy Mitchell and her crew of volunteers help families escape mental, physical and financial abuse. But all too often, Mitchell says all they're really doing is delivering them from one precarious housing situation to another."

"At a time when health and government officials are telling residents to stay home as much as possible to prevent COVID-19 spread, Shelter Movers Ottawa Director Wendy Mitchell says home can be exactly where danger lies for some."