As of Sunday night, 50 homeless women sought refuge from the coldest months of the year by sleeping on cots in a portion of our former gymnasium as part of our Winter Emergency Response Program.

After a successful pilot program in 2012, the YWCA is once again working with the Calgary Homeless Foundation and Alberta Human Services to provide temporary, emergency shelter for up to 50 homeless women each night at our downtown facility.

These women are not alone in needing a place to stay. The same night, 93 women and seven children stayed in our Mary Dover House transitional housing program. Meanwhile, 15 women and 23 children stayed at the YWCA Sheriff King Home emergency shelter for those fleeing family violence.

Finally, 37 chronically homeless women were re-housed by the YWCA and the Calgary Homeless Foundation in bachelor apartments in the city.

That’s 195 women and 30 kids – 225 people who needed a place to stay.

Women coming to the YWCA for shelter or housing have many things in common: they are almost universally coming with a history of trauma including physical and sexual violence. They are unsure of their options. They face isolation, addiction, fear and vulnerability.

More than any other factor though, women spending a night with the YWCA share a common reality of deep poverty in one of the wealthiest cities in North America. Forty-five per cent of the women we serve have incomes of less than $999/month before tax. Nearly 20 per cent have no income at all when they come to us.

Since opening our doors more than 100 years ago, the YWCA of Calgary has provided shelter to women in their time of need. Every day we demonstrate our commitment to helping women who are experiencing homelessness, poverty or family violence, to thrive in a safe and equitable community.

We wouldn’t be able to do this without the help of Calgarians.

One of the ways you can help vulnerable women and children in Calgary this holiday season is by shopping from the YWCA Gifts for the Season catalogue. Click here to browse the catalogue.

Some of the options offered:

  • Health – Give the gift of health. $50 provides basic needs items including a toothbrush, toothpaste and deodorant, pajamas, dishes and undergarments for a woman moving into YWCA short term, supportive housing
  • Opportunity – For $500, you can give the gift of opportunity to women experiencing homelessness and poverty, which provides safe, supportive shelter to a woman and child for one week
  • Independence – Give the gift of independence to a woman experiencing homelessness. $750 provides ongoing support and the resources required to help our clients meet their goals, stay housed and lead happier, healthier lives.
  • Safety – Safe refuge is critical for healthy families. For a woman and her children fleeing family violence, a gift of $5,000 provides emergency shelter at the YWCA Sheriff King Home, food, clothing, counselling, connection and access to a community of resources

Thank you for your support!