Schools and community members are showing shelters and their workers some love this Valentine’s Day.
February 1, 2025 – The Alberta Council of Women’s Shelters is excited to launch the third year of our Valentine’s Day awareness campaign, Love A Shelter, highlighting the labour of love that domestic violence shelters undertake to support those fleeing violence and abuse.
Shelter workers work tirelessly every day to support survivors and their children, to create safe spaces for people to go. But shelters are currently struggling to meet the demand for their services, and a lack of consistent funding means shelters are often understaffed, and shelter workers are often earning inadequate wages. Additionally, workers in domestic violence shelters often experience high levels of stress and burn out, as well as vicarious trauma. Despite these challenges, shelter workers continue to dedicate themselves to making a difference in the lives of survivors and their families, and to working towards a future free from violence and abuse.
“Shelters and their staff deserve our love and support,” says ACWS Executive Director, Cat Champagne, “the work they do changes lives. Shelter workers take on this heavy, emotional work with so much passion and care. Knowing their communities support them can make a huge difference in their capacity to continue this important work. It’s time for communities to come together to advocate for change on behalf of shelters, their workers, and the survivors they support.”
The campaign is kicking off in schools and communities across the province, where students have been invited to send Valentine’s cards to the staff at their local domestic violence shelter. ACWS invites the public to join the campaign by sending a Valentine of support to their local shelter, writing their MLA to advocate for shelters, and sharing the campaign’s social media posts. Please reach out to voice@acws.ca for a list of mailing addresses for ACWS members’ shelters.
Quick Facts:
- ACWS member shelters housed over 900 survivors and their children on Valentine’s Day in 2024.
- A 2017 University of Calgary study that demonstrated the connection between sporting events, holidays and domestic violence, also revealed there is an increase of calls to authorities regarding domestic violence on numerous holidays, including Valentine’s Day.
- The Alberta Council of Women’s Shelters recently launched a new online course designed for people working in shelters and with survivors of domestic abuse and violence. Case Management Foundations is a self-paced online training designed to empower participants with the knowledge and skills needed to provide survivor-centred care.
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For inquiries on this campaign:
Email – voice@acws.ca
About ACWS
ACWS is the provincial network organization of domestic violence shelters in Alberta. We bring over four decades of experience and knowledge to serve our 41 members operating over 50 shelters across the province for women, their children, and seniors facing domestic abuse. We advocate for ACWS members and work with them to end domestic violence through culture-shifting violence prevention programs, collective data and research, and front-line training. With support from ACWS, Alberta shelters are helping to provide safety, support families, and improve communities.