Today marks 100 days since the June floods submerged Calgary and left many of its residents scrambling to find a safe and dry place to sleep. The YWCA of Calgary was deeply impacted by flooding and as we look back on the experiences of those nine days, we remember the strength and resilience shown by our displaced clients and the dedication and commitment of our staff in the midst of the crisis.
On June 20, 2013 the YWCA Sheriff King Home emergency shelter, located in Inglewood, was forced to evacuate women, and their children, who were already traumatized after fleeing family violence.
Vulnerable women with nowhere to go were fearful, anxious and unsure of what would happen next. They had fled their homes for shelter and safety at the YWCA. And now they would have to leave the only security they had.
Despite the challenges the YWCA faced during the flood crisis, the organization continued to live its mission to intervene, empower and lead when and where women need us most. Understanding the unique needs of women fleeing violence, YWCA staff quickly found a safe place for the women to stay. Clients were generously taken in by the Northwest Community Church on Thursday evening, moved to William Aberhart School on Friday where they were joined by the now evacuated women from YWCA Mary Dover House, and finally found a longer term option in the residences of Mount Royal University.
“I remember that first day, I was so worried about my kids. My daughter was sick, my son had lots of anxiety and I was pregnant. I just arrived to the shelter a month ago, and was worried about having to feel alone again so soon. I kept asking myself, ‘did I make the right decision in leaving my home?’ I was pleasantly surprised to learn that I was not alone during the evacuation. People from the YWCA were so compassionate. By the end, I had felt like more of a stranger in my own house than I did with the group who helped us because they treated us like family.” – Client, YWCA Sheriff King Home
Our Director of External Relations, Elsbeth Mehrer, reflects on early days of evacuation and crisis.
“One of the women who joined us that day with her teenage daughter was Sarah,” Elsbeth said.
“New to Calgary, Sarah and her daughter had arrived at YWCA Sheriff King Home shelter that very morning, having fled Sarah’s abusive partner. As many of the families we serve are – they were scared, unsettled and struggling with far more questions than answers. Where would they live? What about money? Should they go back?
“One question though, was top of mind for Sarah and soon for me. ‘I’m epileptic,’ she said, ‘and I don’t have my medication.’
“Rushing from one emergency to another, we got to work. We found a kind pharmacist who took the time to phone cross-country to figure out the prescription information.
“And our very own CEO – Sue Tomney – stopped at a drug store to get her what she needed. Being able to hand Sarah those pills and her immense gratitude for six little pills was humbling.”
Donations from generous Calgarians during the June 2013 floods.
To meet the desperate need for donations of cash and basic need items to support the displaced women, a donation drive was held at the Marda Loop Community Association. The community response was overwhelming; the YWCA received more than $30,000 in cash and gift-in-kind and in excess of $8,000 in online donations!
As we look back on those nine hectic days, it is the compassion, cooperation and selfless actions that stands out for us at the YWCA – not the chaos or fear. The collaboration and generosity of a community in shock was astounding. If there is one positive thing to be taken from this crisis it would be to keep that community connection and support as we move farther away from the memories.
