(rdnewsNOW file photo)

By Ashley Lavallee-Koenig

RED DEER SHELTER REFLECTS

Central Alberta women’s shelter struggles with capacity amidst high domestic violence rates

Aug 24, 2024 | 11:32 AM

The Central Alberta Emergency Women’s Shelter (CAWES) had to turn away 1,345 women and 930 children from April 2023 to March 2024, but also admitted 445 women and 264 children in the same span.

CAWES’ numbers are reflective of the dire state of domestic violence victims across the province, as can be seen in the graph below, with demand rising much faster than shelters can supply.

10-year trends showing Alberta’s population growth in relation to shelter calls for help and admission numbers, and how many people are turned away. (ACWS/2023 Data Release)

Previously stagnant provincial funding and today’s inflationary pressures don’t help; In its latest budget, the Government of Alberta announced an increase of $10 million for women’s shelters, including $1.5 million this year and $5 million to fund 104 beds.

Jan Reimer, executive director of the Alberta Council of Women’s Shelters (ACWS), has long advocated for funding increases, and after 23 years of service with the organization, is stepping down from the role, she announced this week.

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Reimer was the first female mayor of Edmonton and the recipient of a multitude of awards for her work over the years, including the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal. Under her leadership, the ACWS hosted the first World Conference of Women’s Shelters.

“Jan was such an important force in the shelter movement in Alberta and she has so much energy and so much passion,” says Danica Hoffart, executive director of the Central Alberta Women’s Emergency Shelter (CAWES) in Red Deer. “She cares deeply for families and helping women find a safe place and a new life where they can live without fear. As a female leader and a remarkable Albertan, she’s been such a great leader in the province.”

The ACWS is in the process of determining who will take Reimer’s place. In the meantime, Hoffart assured that it would have no impact to Red Deer’s shelter operations as they function independently under the “unifying voice” of ACWS.

Hoffart shared a few thoughts on what she hopes to see from whoever fills Reimer’s shoes.

“The needs of the rural shelters and then the urban ones, and ones on reserve — there are a lot of similarities to our needs but there are also differences,” she said. “I would be hoping to have somebody who could continue the work of trying to represent all the different needs across the province and the different communities; who has a lot of passion for women and families; who can be a really strong advocate and spokesperson for shelters across the province.”

The emergency shelter that Hoffart helps guide has 40 beds for women and children who are fleeing domestic violence and facing imminent danger. They can stay at this shelter for 21 days, after which they may leave the shelter or continue getting support through the ACWS Outreach Team, such as by accessing a second-stage shelter; Red Deer’s second-stage shelter is known as Julietta’s Place.

Although CAWES’ provincial funding has plateaued for close to a decade, the shelter was fortunate to receive a nearly $30 million grant from the Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) in 2022. This grant is funding the development of an entirely new shelter space, which CAWES expects to move into this fall.

The first stage of this expansion will add 10 more beds to the shelter’s emergency capacity, as well as 17 one- and two-bedroom apartment units for safe and secure second-stage housing. The second phase will add 23 affordable housing units, opening up potential for clients to remain in secure housing for up to two years after their initial emergent intake.

Despite the generous CMHC grant, the shelter needs an additional $2 million to cover the cost of furniture and equipment for the facility.

“In order to meet our basic needs, every year we need to raise about $400,000 just to cover our expenses beyond what we receive from the provincial government for funding. This is an additional $2 million beyond our regular expenses, so it’s a lot,” said Hoffart.

Residents wanting to lend a hand can donate through the website here, and the shelter will be launching an official public fundraising campaign in October.

The shelter expansion is critical as Hoffart said, and the numbers confirm they are always at capacity and frequently having to refer those in need to other resources.

“It touches far more people than one might think. There’s a good chance that people know somebody who has gone through this or is actively in a dangerous situation,” she said.

“If we can support the organizations that help these women get out of these dangerous situations, it not only helps them, but it also helps break the cycle for the kids so they’re not witnessing this violence throughout their childhood.”

The strain Hoffart outlined did not include additional services offered by the shelter, like its 24/7 crisis line.

If you need help, contact the 24-hour helpline locally at 403-346-5643, or toll free at 1-888-346-5643. The Crisis Textline is 403-506-0485.

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