Our History
1988
Need for Shelter Recognized
Need recognized for emergency housing for women in the area. Matthew Halton Community school in Pincher Creek sponsored forum on Family Violence Issues. This event encouraged the community to take action.
1990
Committee Formed
Family Violence Education Project established through Canadian Mental Health Association as first steps to bringing awareness to the local community. A committee was formed to begin the process of establishing a shelter.
1992
Officially Registered as a Non-Profit Organization
The Pincher Creek Women’s Emergency Shelter Association (PCWESA) became a registered non-profit organization. Initial mandate was to provide referrals for women and children in need and conduct awareness presentations for the community.
1997
Official Open
PCWESA official opened its doors as a 10 bed emergency shelter facility.
2006
Moved Locations
PCWESA moved locations and added 6 beds totaling 16. Funding increased to cover 12 beds.
2008
Funding Increase
Core funding increased to cover 15 out of 16 beds.
2012
Funding Increase
Core funding increased to cover 16 beds.
2012/2013
Research Project
PCWESA and Kainaii Women’s Wellness Lodge partnered together in a research project titled: Threading, Stitching and Storytelling: Using community-based participatory research and traditional Blackfoot shawl making to create meaningful services for rural Aboriginal women fleeing domestic violence.
2015
Funding Increase
Funding increase for intensive case management allowing for renovations for administration and adding five offices. This allowed for an increase in Outreach Support workers from 1.5 to 5.
2016
Grant Agreements
Shift from contract to grant agreements with Government of Alberta (now called Ministry of Human Services).
2020
Project Impact ACWS Started
PCWESA collected data from past and current clients to better understand service gaps within the organization. This information will assist in improved programming, requests for funding, and education in the communities we serve. PCWESA is one of twenty-one shelters that participated across Alberta.
2021
Extra Label
Project Impact ACWS Completed
PCWESA is excited to present the Project Impact ACWS book which can be purchased on Amazon.ca. This book features 21 shelters across Alberta that participated to develop an evaluation tool that would help to improve programming to their specific shelter. We are excited to further enhance these tools to assist with developing and improving programming in our shelter.