By Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19)

Wheeliker says goodbye to CAWES after 11 years

May 17, 2018 | 4:20 PM

The long-time executive director of the Central Alberta Women’s Emergency Shelter is moving on.

Ian Wheeliker has been at the helm of CAWES for the past 11 years and says he’ll miss this community.

Wheeliker is moving to Edmonton to take over a director position with the Alberta Council of Women’s Shelters in programs and member services.

“I couldn’t let this opportunity go past without seeing if I was the right candidate. I had worked with the ACWS for all my time at the Women’s Shelter and we’ve done, provincially, amazing projects on women’s health, child-maternal attachment, and on safety from domestic violence,” he says. “It’s very exciting work, but now this will be at a higher level, working with the members and shelters across the province.”

Wheeliker, who previously worked in Kindersley, SK and has 30 years of experience in this field, says other highlights include attending two Women’s Shelter world conferences, and the creation of their children’s healing centre, for which they received praise internationally.

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“I’ve been working with a very forward-thinking board here, and looking at what we’re going to need to develop as a women’s shelter for the future. That project is moving forward slowly,” Wheeliker says. “Then there’s the training, education and the skill level that the staff have developed over the last ten years in terms of meeting the needs of children that have been exposed and women who are traumatized.”

Over his years at CAWES, the shelter has helped thousands of woman and children.

CAWES has appointed an interim executive director in the meantime, with Rayann Toner filling the position until a permanent hire can be made. Toner has worked with CAWES since 2005 and is currently the Operations Manager.

Wheeliker’s final day is May 31 and begins with the ACWS on June 18.