Calgary Women's Emergency Shelter

VISION

community free from family violence and abuse.

MISSION

We is here to support individuals, families, and communities to live free from family violence and abuse.

VALUES

• RESPECT means honoring the inherent worthiness of each person and their expertise.
• RESPONSIBILITY acknowledges personal choice and accountability for one's own behavior while recognizing the impact those choices have on others. Responsibility transcends the individual and organization and extends to the community.
• INTEGRITY is consistency between our values and our actions and words.
• EMPOWERMENT fosters one's own strengths and abilities.

BELIEFS

• We believes violent and abusive behavior is a deliberate choice.
• We believe individuals who are treated badly resist abuse in ways that protect their safety or maintain their dignity.
• We believe all individuals have inherent strengths and abilities.
• We believe family violence and abuse impacts the entire community.
• We believe all individuals have a right to live in a home free from actual or threatened violence and abuse.

HISTORICAL TIMELINE

In 1973, a group of visionary women opened a small volunteer-run shelter for women and families in Calgary. The following year, the Calgary Women's Emergency Shelter registered as a charity, formally taking over the operations. Since our origins in a 13-bed facility in the Beltline area, the Calgary Women's Emergency Shelter has expanded to serve over 15,000 Calgarians annually.    

View the Chronological History of the Calgary Women's Emergency Shelter