Vision: Communities where all people are free from violence and abuse
About Camrose Women’s Shelter Society
Camrose Women’s Shelter Society (CWSS) has been providing shelter and services for women and children fleeing abuse since 1985. This is an emergency shelter that provides a safe, supportive place for women and children fleeing domestic violence, or experiencing a crisis or homelessness. The shelter provides services to clients in the greater Camrose area and operates on a 24/7 basis. Over the years, the emergency shelter has offered 22 beds within 7 separate bedrooms with only minimal variation in capacity. Though the emergency shelter is located in Camrose, it serves a much larger geographic area and a total population of approximately 127,000 people.
Beyond provision of basic needs within the shelter, CWSS provides supportive counselling, referrals, safety planning and provides information about domestic violence and life skills groups. Women and children are supported with their personal goals and connected with other community organizations as needed.
In addition to the shelter services, CWSS offers the following programs:
- A crisis line available 24/7 and provides emotional support, safety planning, advocacy and referrals.
- An Outreach Program to assist women transition from the emergency shelter into the community.
- A Family Support Program that provides a wide range of emotional, educational and informative supports regarding the effects of family violence on children
- An on-site School Program that provides classroom instruction that is consistent with Alberta Education curriculum while tailored to a child’s academic ability.
We Support Women and Children in Crisis
Camrose Women’s Shelter Society operates an emergency shelter providing a safe, supportive place for women and children who are escaping domestic violence, in a crisis situation or who may be homeless. An average of 400 women and children from Camrose and surrounding communities seek refuge at our shelter each year. After they leave, many continue to access the outreach programming offered through the shelter.
The shelter accommodates up to seven families and is wheelchair accessible. Beyond provision of basic needs (food, clothing, shelter,) we provide supportive counseling, referrals, safety planning, information on domestic violence and life skills groups. The shelter has an on-site grades 1-12 school, and a licensed daycare program onsite. Women and children are supported with their personal goals and connected with other community organizations as they transition away from the shelter towards safe housing and community supports.
Our Facilities:
- Emergency Shelter Capacity: 7 rooms, 22 beds, not including second stage shelter
- Serenity Room for quiet time/space
- First & Second Stage Shelter. Concept design possibility.
For more information about Emergency Accommodations contact our Program Coordinator at 780-679-4975 ext. 6.
About Camrose:
The City of Camrose is a Municipality located on Treaty 6 territory, the traditional lands of the Indigenous and the Métis People. For as long as the sun shines, the rivers flow, and the grass grows, this land will be recognized as Treaty 6 Territory.
Camrose is a small rural city in Central Alberta with a population of approximately 20 000. Camrose has many amenities to serve a much larger rural population of approximately 150 000. You can find all required services in the City of Camrose from a hospital to essential shopping, Boxstore shopping, schools and places of worship. There are many walking and skiing trails and natural areas to enjoy, as well as parks and recreation facilities.
Camrose is within an hour of the Edmonton International Airport and accessed by highways 13, 21, 26 or secondary roads
There is a community bus that offers limited transportation within the city.
Mission: We are committed to providing a safe place and services for individuals and families affected by violence and abuse.
BELIEF STATEMENTS
- The Camrose Women’s Shelter is a team that can rely on each other with humour, collaboration and forward-thinking.
- Camrose Women’s Shelter believes that children and families are central to our vision of making a safe place free of violence and abuse. We do this through a trauma informed lens, understanding and respecting diversity, spiritually and culture.
- Camrose Women’s Shelter believes in creating a safe, secure environment for everyone, both inside and outside the organization.
- Camrose Women’s Shelter believes in an environment of respect, empathy and compassion. With transparency, honesty and trust we support people.
TRAUMA INFORMED VALUES
Safety– Ensure that the staff and people we serve feel physically and psychologically safe. This includes promoting a sense of safety in interpersonal interactions and ensuring that the physical setting is safe
Transparency and trustworthiness– Ensure that organizational operations and decisions are conducted with transparency so that trust can be built and maintained among staff, clients and family members. This can be achieved by making tasks clear and maintaining appropriate boundaries.
Collaboration and mutuality– Ensure that there is a meaningful sharing of power and decision-making. Our goal is to level the power differences between staff as well as between staff and clients. Everyone has a role to play in the Trauma-informed Care approach.
Empowerment, voice and choice– Ensure that each person’s strengths are recognized, built on and validated; and build opportunities for individuals to develop new skills when necessary. The organization aims to recognize the unique experiences of each person and includes a belief in the resilience and ability of individuals, organizations and communities to heal and promote recovery from trauma.
Peer support and mutual self-help– Peer support and mutual self-help are important vehicles for building trust, establishing safety and ensuring empowerment. These are integral to our organizational and service delivery approach.
Cultural, historical & gender issues– Ensure that the organization moves past cultural stereotypes and biases by offering gender responsive services; leveraging the healing values of traditional cultural connections; and recognizing and addressing historical trauma.
Board of Directors
Bernadette Logozar, Chair – Bernadette currently works with Friends of the Battle River Railway, and as a consultant providing business administration, marketing and technical assistance to small businesses in rural Alberta. Before returning home to Alberta, Bernadette worked as Rural & Ag Economic Development Specialist with Cornell Cooperative Extension Franklin County, in Malone, NY for nearly 12 years. In New York, she worked with rural communities, farmers and rural entrepreneurs in Franklin & surrounding counties in the areas of marketing, business development, regulations, alternative agriculture, diversification, small farm operations, agritourism, local food and buying local. Bernadette has her Masters in Political Science from the University of Alberta, focusing on the changing role of agriculture in Canadian Politics. She continues to give back to her community by serving on various boards and committees. She also teaches classes with Flagstaff Community Adult Learning on a variety of topics.
Judilonne Beebe, Vice-Chair– Judilonne Beebe is a Social Worker who has spent over 50 years working in the fields of Family Violence and Childhood Sexual Abuse and currently serves as the Board Chair of the Camrose Women’s Shelter. Judi sat on a National Family Violence Committee through the Public Health Agency of Canada for three years and in November of 2013, Judi was honoured to receive an Inspiration Award for leadership in Family Violence Prevention presented by the Honorable Sandra Jensen. Judi lives on a farm with her husband, has three children, four grandchildren and enjoys reading, gardening and the outdoors.
Trevor Vinet, Treasurer – Trevor joined the Camrose Women’s Shelter Board in 2020 with the ambition of growing community support for the shelter. He first began participating in the annual Walk A Mile In Her Shoes event in 2014 where he learned about the vital service that the shelter provided Camrose & area. Trevor is an avid community volunteer, serving for 12 years with the Camrose Kinsmen Club, 12 years with Camrose Minor Hockey, the Camrose Regional Exhibition Board, Camrose Chamber of Commerce Executive, and KidSport Camrose Board. Trevor also serves the community’s real estate needs as a 10 year realtor with RE/MAX. Together with his wife, Olivia, they have a daughter, Vienna, and a dog named Jasper.
Brittany Rash, Secretary – Brittany joins the Camrose Women’s Shelter with a background in disability management and an interest in supporting individuals going through difficult circumstances. She recently relocated to Camrose with her two children and pets. Her personal journey has given her a unique understanding and connection to the women and children served by the shelter.
Laura Young, Director – Laura works at the Battle River Community Foundation, although she currently lives in the Village of Forestburg, her home-town. Laura, who attended a United World College during high school, received her B.A. (Honours) at Mount Allison University in Sackville, New Brunswick and her M.A. from the University of Calgary, both in Political Science. Professionally, Laura has worked in a number of public relations and fundraising positions, including in government relations and event management. Laura has a strong background in theatre, being both a performer and Stage Manager, as well as in music, which she pursues as a member of the Walter Jahns Singers. Laura enjoys volunteering and is a frequent volunteer at the Jeanne and Peter Lougheed Performing Arts Centre.
Wea Ann Pantaleon, Director – I grew up in a country and time where family and abuse were often treated as private family matters. That silence shaped my understanding of how deeply women and children can suffer when support isn’t available – and how life-changing it is when a community chooses to stand with them. After moving to Camrose in 2015, I built a career in management, supporting operations, compliance, HR, and organizational safety. As a mother of three, my commitment to protecting families and fostering safe environments is both professional and deeply personal. Today, as a member of the Board of Directors, I help guide the shelter’s programs, initiatives, and strategic decisions. My focus is on strengthening supports, increasing accessibility, and ensuring every initiative reflects compassion, dignity, and empowerment for families fleeing abuse. I am honored to serve an organization that transforms lives – and grateful to the donors whose generosity makes this work possible. Your support gives families the chance to break the cycle of violence, rebuild their futures, and rediscover their strength.
Nora-Lee Rear, Executive Director – Nora-Lee Rear has worked in the Family Violence Sector for over 20 years, joining the Camrose Women’s Shelter team in 2014. She has worked on many provincial projects, including the Taking Action on Bullying Pilot Project in 2007 and the World Indigenous Women’s Wellness Conference in 2008, mainly in urban and First Nations communities. After living in Calgary, Nora-Lee and her partner now enjoy a quieter life outside of Camrose and enjoy gardening, camping and spending time with friends and family.
Randall Nickel, Director – Bio coming soon!
Vacant, Director – Seeking new Board members. Please contact Nora-Lee Rear at 780-679-4975 ext.7 for information.
Vacant, Director – Seeking new Board members. Please contact Nora-Lee Rear at 780-679-4975 ext.7 for information.
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2025 Community Report
2025 Fiscal Report
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Crisis Intervention Worker
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The Camrose Women’s Shelter Society would like to recognize the support of:
The Camrose Women’s Shelter would also like to recognize the support of the Canadian Women’s Foundation via their Annual Campaign to End Violence Against Women, along with their Campaign partners Winners and HomeSense.