What happens when you call
A trained staff member answers
They will listen without judgment.
They ask a few simple questions
Just enough to understand your situation. You do not have to share anything you are not comfortable sharing.
If you want shelter, they arrange it by phone
You will never be asked to come directly to the building on your own. We make safe arrangements with you first.
Not ready for shelter? That is okay
We can talk through your options, help you make a plan, and connect you with other support in the community.
There is no wrong reason to call.
What to expect when you arrive
A staff member will meet you, walk you through the space, and answer your questions. You will not be rushed. We go at your pace.
During your intake, we will
- Ask about your immediate needs (food, clothing, medical care, medications)
- Talk with you about your safety and support options
- Explain how our services work and what to expect during your stay
- Connect you with referrals to other agencies if you need them
Everything you share stays confidential, with two exceptions: if we believe a child is being harmed, we are required by law to report; and if there is an immediate risk to life, we may need to act. We will always tell you what we are doing and why.
What to bring (or not)
Bring whatever you can carry. If you arrive with nothing, that is fine. We have what you need. If you have time and it is safe, you may want to bring:
Identification
Yours and your children's
Medications
Anything you take regularly
Important documents
Health cards, custody papers, immigration documents
A change of clothing
For you and your children
Comfort items
A toy or a blanket for your children
Do not put yourself in danger to gather documents. We can help you replace them.
Your privacy comes first
We take your privacy seriously. Your name, your situation, and the fact that you contacted us are all kept confidential. We do not share your information with anyone, including police, family members, or your partner, without your written permission. The only exceptions are mandatory child-protection reporting and situations of immediate life-threatening danger. We do not publish our physical address. Arrangements to access our services are made by phone only.
Worried your internet use is being monitored? Please call us instead of filling out any online form. Our crisis line is 780-827-1791, answered evenings and weekends.
Form submissions are automatically deleted after 30 days.
If you are referring someone
If you are an RCMP officer, social worker, nurse, doctor, school counsellor, or community member calling on behalf of someone, we are glad to help. Call our crisis line at 780-827-1791 on her behalf. Tell us what you know. We will take it from there.
Calling on someone's behalf does not commit her to anything. We reach out to her directly. She decides what happens next.
If you need written information about our services to keep on hand, contact us at 780-827-3776 (Mon to Fri, 9am to 4pm) and we can send you our referral information sheet.
What to share when you call
- The person's first name, if you have it
- A brief description of the situation
- Any immediate safety concerns
- Whether she knows you are calling
Make a safety plan
A safety plan is a personal plan you make for yourself and your children. It helps you think through what you would do in different situations. You do not have to leave home to make one.
Our staff can help you create a plan over the phone, or you can build one yourself online, at your own pace.
Make Your Safety PlanOther support options
If our shelter is full, or another type of support is a better fit, we will help you find it.
Alberta Family Violence Info Line
310-1818 (24 hours, free, multilingual)
ACWS shelter directory
Shelter Safe
National shelter finder: sheltersafe.ca
We will never leave you without a next step.