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.

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.