The Shelter
Call the Family Violence Helpline to come to the Shelter or for more information.
Family Violence Helpline: (403) 234-7233 (SAFE)
Toll-Free: (866) 606-7233
Our 50-bed Shelter houses women with children and single women fleeing abuse for a 21-day stay. The program is provides a safe haven from violence. It is free to stay at the Shelter.
Sometimes women come with few belongings. At the Shelter each family or single woman has access to basic needs such as food, clothing and toiletries.
Women are connected with a counsellor at the Shelter. Women can get support from the counsellor for a variety of things: to look for housing, to deal with legal issues, to build a safety plan and / or to listen to their situation and give emotional support.
Sometimes the Shelter is full, but no one is left in danger. If the woman and / or her children need to leave, we will support her to find space in another Calgary shelter or will put her up in another secret location such as a hotel.
If the woman doesn’t want to come to the Shelter as she has a place to stay, a Community Counsellor can also meet her in a safe place and give her all the support she would get in the Shelter except based in the community.
In 2009, the Shelter helped nearly 800 women and children. Shelter counsellors provided over 6,000 hours in help in more than 14 languages.
The Shelter provides FREE of charge during the 21-day stay:
- A bedroom, blankets/linen, all food and toiletries.
- Safety planning.
- Help with court and legal issues.
- Help finding a new home.
- Childcare and play therapy.
- Individual and group counselling.
- A change of clothing and sleepwear.
- Diapers, formula and other baby needs.
- Toys for children and teens.
Contact with an Outreach Counsellor for ongoing support up to a year.
Our services are confidential except when a life is in danger or a child is exposed to abuse.
If you would like to have a tour of the shelter, you can get a better idea by visiting the Videos section.
