Today marks one year since the June floods submerged Calgary and left many of its residents scrambling to find a safe and dry place to sleep.
During the crisis, YWCA clients were evacuated and several programs at the downtown location were temporarily closed. In the weeks after the flood, the YWCA was forced to make the difficult decision to permanently close Fitness on 5th, our social enterprise, due to significant damage to the first floor.
The YWCA was deeply impacted by flooding, but as we look back at those hectic weeks one thing that stood out in the midst of the crisis was the strength and resilience shown by our clients and the dedication and commitment of our staff.
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Flood timeline:
• June 20, 2013 – State of emergency in Inglewood forced evacuation of women and children from YWCA Sheriff King Home emergency shelter.
• June 21, 2013 – Women and children from YWCA Mary Dover House were evacuated from downtown location.
• June 22, 2013 – All evacuated women and children were moved to student housing at Mount Royal University, where they remained for 2 weeks.
• June 23, 2013 – Donation drive was held that brought more than $30,000 in cash and in excess of $8,000 in gift-in-kind donations.
• June 27, 2013 – Staff and clients returned to YWCA Sheriff King Home emergency shelter, which had stayed dry.
• June 29, 2013 – Power was restored to the YWCA’s downtown facility and clean-up began.
• July 5, 2013 – YWCA Mary Dover House transitional housing clients returned to downtown location.
• July 8, 2013 – Programs began to restart downtown.
• August 20, 2013 – Due to extensive damage, the decision was made to permanently close Fitness on 5th.
Despite the damage, in the weeks after the crisis the YWCA re-established a balanced budget.
A “new normal” was discovered as the YWCA continued its mission to intervene, empower and lead when and where she needs us most.
