Frequently Asked Questions

Stepping Stones is a non-profit organization who offers:

• A 27 bed emergency shelter dedicated to assisting women and their children in need of short-term emergency accommodations.

• Joie’s Phoenix House, A second stage housing program that offers affordable housing and specialized programming for women who are in the program, along with their children.

• A community support program that offers 1:1 supports to all women who are struggling with an unhealthy or abusive relationship or have left one.

• Public Education, bringing community awareness and education to the Lakeland area.

• A 24-hour helpline offering support and referrals to anyone who calls.

Domestic violence (domestic abuse or relationship abuse) is a pattern of behaviors used by one partner to maintain power and control over another partner in a relationship. Forms of abuse include physical, sexual, verbal/emotional, mental/psychological, financial, and spiritual.

If you or someone you know is experiencing abuse, or needs help in any way, please contact us for assistance. We are here for whenever you need us.

Help Line: 780.594.3353

Joie’s Phoenix House (JPH) is our second stage program that provides a safe, long-term and supportive environment for women and their children who have experienced family violence.

JPH gives families access to programs and resources that will allow them to gain skills to become self-sufficient and independent. The services in place are a mandatory part of living at JPH, with the end goal of independent living.

JPH includes six self-contained, fully furnished, 2 or 3 bedroom suites with convenient access to schools and outdoor playgrounds.

Yes, Stepping Stones offers a free pet housing program for anyone who requires residential services. The SSCS pet housing program is located on-site, in a separate building. Cats or dogs are the only animals we can accommodate. Please contact us for further information.

The Community Support Program is a confidential, non-residential program available to individuals and families who may be in an abusive relationship, are seeking information regarding issues that come from family violence and/or wish to pursue healthier lifestyle changes. Our Community Support program offers referrals to victim services, parenting programs, housing services, community support services, education services and food banks.

Our Community Support Program also provides individuals with the opportunity to share their experiences and learn new skills. We will provide support and advocacy for potential clients, including court support if required.

This program also provides public education to Cold Lake and the surrounding areas. Public education presentations can be catered to the needs of the requesting agency, and can cover topics such as domestic violence, coercive control, and healthy relationships.

Contact Community Support: 780.594.3353

A Better Way Men’s and Women’s group programs meet separately, but both partners are encouraged to attend. The programs provide participants with the education, skills and resources they require to make the necessary changes in their relationships and to resolve conflicts peacefully.

Social enterprises are revenue-generating businesses with a twist. A social enterprise has two goals: to achieve social, cultural, community economic and/or environmental outcomes; and, to earn revenue for the organization.

The SSCS has multiple social enterprises. We have the Orbiting Trends, a thrift shop where donations are sold to generate revenue to fund all the SSCS’s wonderful programs, like our Shelter, our Helpline, and our Second Stage Housing program. We also have Ella’s Closet, a consignment shop which also generates revenue to support our programs. When donors give items to Ella’s, they can choose to direct all of their proceeds to the SSCS, or to split up the proceeds and give a portion to another local non-profit organization.

Check out our social enterprises today!

Ella’s Closet

Orbiting Trends