MHWSS staff and dignitaries including premier Danielle Smith, MLA Justin Wright and Minister Searle Turton cut the ribbon Wednesday afternoon on the freshly renovated Phoenix Safe House.--News Photo Anna Smith
asmith@medicinehatnews.com
The Phoenix Safe House is officially reopening its doors after being under construction for more than a year.
Dignitaries from the City of Medicine Hat, Cypress County, as well as both premier Danielle Smith and Cypress-Medicine Hat Justin Wright, were in attendance to celebrate the Medicine Hat Women’s Shelter Society’s services moving into the freshly expanded and renovated space.
“Today is more than a celebration. It’s a major step forward in a period of women, children and families impacted by family violence in and around medicine. It’s a culmination of years of planning, fundraising and just simple hard work,” said Searle Turton, Minister of Children and Family Services. “This facility is also more than just a building, it’s a safe and welcoming place where survivors will be able to find critical supports during some of their toughest times and darkest days.”
“Alberta’s government is proud to begin this new chapter with you as you continue to support the work, and that’s why we provided more than $2 million in annual operational funding to support the Medicine Hat women’s shelter society, and more than $70,000 in one-time funding this past year,” said Turton.
Other provincial aid came in the form of $1-million grant fund for the build, which Wright says he was proud to advocate for.
The building started construction on the project in November 2023. While they continue to offer emergency shelter and other services, the improved space allows for better security, dignity and hope for those rebuilding their lives after fleeing gender-based or family violence.
This service is foundational to the community, says Alberta Council of Women’s Shelters executive director Cat Champagne. She says shelters outside large urban centres are incredibly valuable and make a difference to those in the region, as they prevent long travel times, which can be prohibitive and risk interception.
As more rural homes also contain firearms, this difference can be life saving in preventing potentially lethal violence, says Champagne.
There is still roughly $2 million left to be raised to cover the entire cost of the capital plan, which MHWSS executive director Natasha Carvalho expects can be obtained through fundraising as they look to the future.
“I’m so overwhelmed and very proud that we’ve got to this point,” said Carvalho. “The community support has been amazing. We always rely on the community to help us out, because we raise money for operational dollars as well. But then when we launched this capital campaign, the community really came out to help us in so many ways.”
The 30-bed emergency shelter is now more spacious to allow for the comfort and dignity of clients and their children, from private washrooms in the rooms to moving their daycare services into a brighter main floor space.
“For more than 40 years, this organization has been a lifeline for individuals and families in crisis,” said Mayor Linnsie Clark. “Back in June, city council approved a capital grant of $1.85 million to support this expansion. And I can’t think of a better investment in our community. These new spaces will help remove barriers, improve accessibility and ensure that families have a safe, comfortable place to start rebuilding their lives.”
