Kitchen in Mountain Rose Women's Shelter Second Stage Apartments.

By Adam Ophus

Second-Stage Apartments

Mountain Rose Women’s Shelter fully open

Jan 29, 2020 | 9:52 AM

The new 20,000 square foot, $4.3 million Mountain Rose Women’s Shelter in Rocky Mountain House is now up and running.

The shelter has opened their 21-bed emergency facility and will also be opening their second-stage apartments where women and their children fleeing violence will be able to stay for up to 18 months.

Women checking into the shelter can stay up to 21 days while they get back on their feet. If they have children and need additional help they then move to the second-stage apartments where they live in fully-furnished housing for up to 18 months. In order to stay in second-stage housing they must agree to programing to help re-teach them their value and help them re-integrate into society.

Executive Director Cindy Easton says people can now also start referring those currently in emergency shelters to take part in second stage.

“We have a couple families we’ve worked with before that we will be asking if they want to use the apartments,” Easton mentioned in regards to their current vacancies.

Last seen March 31

Missing: Eugenie Headman, 66, of Maskwacis

10h ago

mayor hopes to meet housing minister this month

Alberta demands Ottawa back off on housing funding stripped from Red Deer

Apr 02, 2026

Last seen Jan. 15

Missing: Courtney Cattleman, 17, of Maskwacis

Apr 02, 2026

Residents will also have to meet with an outreach worker once a week for about an hour and aren’t expected to have jobs or be going to school so they can focus on rebuilding their lives.

Easton stated that the program is specifically designed to meet there needs and to help them reconnect with their children.

“Sometimes when there’s domestic violence, their trust level is tested within that family, so those programs will help rebuild that trust.”

One of the shelter’s programs is aimed at helping women understand domestic violence is not their fault, with Easton mentioning that there are a lot of psychological mind games that are played in domestic violence situations.

Easton says there is a nominal charge for residents but notes, “Because we know they’re on low income, it’s more to help teach them money management and living within their needs.”

The kids programs provided at the shelter are intended to be more about healing through play, Easton explains, adding that when kids grow up in a chaotic environment their brain development can stop. The shelter hopes to teach them things like self-soothing and controlling and understanding their emotions and to reconnect with their mothers.

Since this is a brand-new endeavor for the Mountain Rose Women’s Shelter they have partnered with other shelters to learn from what works for them, and aren’t intending to re-invent the wheel.

While residents are allowed to stay at the shelter for up to 18 months, Easton says that if a resident is showing promise and needs a bit more time, they’ll continue to work with them.

“I’m just excited that we’re open, full service, and that all our services are in full operation and we look forward to continuing our services with our community,” Easton said with excitement.