This holiday season, Women+Power is once again partnering with the Calgary Women’s Emergency Shelter to collect essential items for families in need. In addition to the dropoff locations listed below, Women+Power we are hosting a festive drop off location on December 12, 2021, from 5-8pm at 175 Aspen Stone Terrace SW, where you can drop off your donation items, have a picture taken of your family in front of an amazing display of Christmas lights, enjoy a cup of hot cocoa and meet fellow Women+Power members.

The Calgary Women’s Emergency Shelter supports individuals, families, and communities to live free from family violence and abuse. In the last year, the Calgary Women’s Emergency 24-Hour Family Violence Helpline received more than 10,450 calls and the total number of clients served at the shelter was more than 15,000.

At Women+Power, we believe in the power of community. That we can work together to not only address challenges that women experience in the workplace, but that collectively, we can help to support the families in our communities that need it the most. This year, we will be helping to raise funds and gather essential goods for families in our communities that turn to the Calgary Women’s Emergency Shelter for assistance and safe refuge.

The statistics are staggering. 74% of Albertans report that they personally know at least one woman who has been sexually or physically assaulted and 1 in 2 women will experience one incident of physical or sexualized violence in their life. COVID-19 has only exacerbated the situation and has created additional barriers and isolation for people living in unhealthy and dangerous situations. Stress and anxiety remain high as there are still so many unknowns.

This holiday season, we ask that you reflect on the resilience of these families and help in any small way that you can, whether it be financial donations or collecting and dropping off essential items. Your support and generosity will help keep local individuals that are impacted by family violence safe during this critical time.

*Due to health and safety concerns, the Shelter cannot accept used clothing and toys.
*They cannot accept new or used furniture, small appliances and household items.
*They do not take hotel/travel size due to the length of stay that clients are at the Shelter.

And if you or anyone you know needs the support of the Calgary Women’s Emergency Shelter, please contact them via one of the methods below:

Phone their 24-Hour Family Violence Helpline: 403-234-7233 (SAFE)
Email: help@cwes.ca
Text: 403-604-6689