New Calgary crisis shelter offers space for women, children and pets fleeing domestic violence
YW Calgary says its new crisis shelter doubles its capacity to help victims of domestic violence.
The organization celebrated the shelter's grand opening on Wednesday.
The new building offers 80 spaces for women, children and – for the first time in the organization's history – pets.
"What a special day for what we are going to do for this community, and for the women and children and their pets," said Sharon Carry, board chair of YW Calgary.
The previous crisis shelter operated by the YW Calgary had a 40-person capacity.
"For over 40 years the former shelter, known as YW Sheriff King Home, provided safety and security for thousands of women and children fleeing domestic violence. That aging facility had not only reached the end of its functional life but was also lacking the flexibility required to address the changing needs, experiences, and diversity of the Calgary community," officials said in a news release.
Instead of renovating the old shelter, YW Calgary opted move forward with a $50 million expansion plan to build at a new site in Inglewood.
"Tearing it down and starting over and doubling the capacity was the right thing to do," said Carry.
The YW now operates three buildings at its new location to serve select purposes: the new crisis shelter is the first intake shortly after leaving an abusive situation, the Hub has space for 100 singles, and the Taylor Family Home is an affordable housing space with 19 women and 70 children residents since the building opened in May.
Families will move into the crisis shelter next week. Officials expect it will already be at capacity.
"It will be a building that will meet them where they're at, which is a moment of crisis and often the darkest days of their lives. And so it will change their lives, because there's a team here to help them," said Sue Tomney, CEO of YW Calgary.
Tomney says the new shelter incorporates "trauma-informed design" with natural light, accessible halls, kitchen amenities and outdoor play spaces.
"Space matters, and particularly space that is inviting, where they can have private time, community time and they can have outdoor time," said Tomney.
The latest building project received funding from various sources including $11 million from the federal government and $2.2 million from the province's Arts, Culture and Status of Women ministry.
The YW of Calgary is still looking to raise the remaining $2.8 million from the community to cover the cost of the latest crisis shelter project.
Organizers say the need for multiple levels of support for domestic violence continues to grow as the city's population increases, "which is why this building is also so important" added Tomney.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Trump confronts repeated boos during raucous Libertarian convention speech
Donald Trump was booed repeatedly while addressing Saturday night’s Libertarian Party National Convention.
This type of screen time has the worst effect on kids: experts
According to some experts, there is one type of screen time that is continuously excessive, and it's having a severe effect on our children.
Family of toddler found dead at small-town Ont. daycare no closer to answers after year of investigation
A year has passed since two-year-old Vienna Irwin was found on the property of a home-based daycare in small-town Ontario, but her family says they are no closer to answers of what happened that day.
Grayson Murray, two-time PGA Tour winner, dead at 30
Two-time PGA Tour winner Grayson Murray died Saturday morning at age 30, one day after he withdrew from the Charles Schwab Cup Challenge at Colonial.
Humboldt Broncos crash victims and families react to decision to deport truck driver
The family of one of the victims of the Humboldt Broncos bus crash in 2018 says they are 'thankful' for a decision by a Calgary immigration board to deport the driver of the truck involved.
Fatal plane crash reported near Squamish, B.C.
The Transportation Safety Board of Canada has confirmed it is working with local Mounties and the BC Coroners Service after a plane crash near Squamish, B.C. Friday night.
'God forgives but we don’t': Loud outburst from stabbing victim’s family during sentencing hearing
An emotional outburst in a London, Ont. courtroom Friday disrupted the sentencing hearing of a woman who pleaded guilty for her part in the death of 29-year-old Mohammed Abdallah.
Three dead after vehicle plunged down a 100-foot embankment in Shediac, N.B.
Three people have died after a vehicle veered off the road in Shediac N.B., Friday morning.
Appeal denied for Edmonton soldier accused of trying to kill her 3 children
An Edmonton woman found guilty of trying to kill her three children has been denied an appeal.