Love a Shelter Campaign invites Albertans to thank frontline shelter workers this February

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Love a Shelter Campaign invites Albertans to thank frontline shelter workers this February

As gender-based violence remains a community concern, the Alberta Council of Women’s Shelters leads an Alberta-wide campaign to bring gratitude to shelters across the province

January 29, 2026 – Alberta – As conversations about gender-based violence, intimate partner violence, and community safety continue across Alberta, the Alberta Council of Women’s Shelters (ACWS) is inviting the public to take part in a simple but meaningful act of support: writing a Valentine message for a shelter worker. Running throughout the month of February, Love a Shelter is a province-wide campaign that encourages Albertans to send messages of gratitude and encouragement to the shelter staff who support survivors and families every day. For the entire month of February, ACWS will collect gratitude messages from individuals, schools, workplaces, and community groups. And at the beginning of March, ACWS will distribute those messages to shelters across Alberta and share the impact publicly. Shelter workers play a critical role in Alberta’s response to gender-based violence. They provide safety, stability, and compassion during some of the most difficult moments in people’s lives. Their work is emotionally demanding, often invisible, and essential to the wellbeing of communities across the province. “Shelter workers are the backbone of Alberta’s safety net,” says Cat Champagne, executive director of ACWS. “They show up day after day with care, professionalism, and heart. Love a Shelter is one way we can show them that their work matters and that communities across Alberta stand behind them.” Recent reporting and public conversations have highlighted the ongoing realities of gender-based violence in Alberta, particularly during high-stress periods and holidays. While policy discussions and systems-level responses are critical, ACWS says there is also a role for everyday acts of community care. “A few kind words can go a long way,” says Champagne. “Encouragement doesn’t replace the need for sustainable funding or systemic change but it does remind people on the frontlines that they are seen, valued, and not alone.” This year, Valentine messages will be mailed to the ACWS office and distributed by ACWS to shelters across Alberta. Coordinating the collection and distribution centrally allows shelter teams to focus on their work, while ensuring messages of support reach staff throughout the province. As the provincial network organization, ACWS works alongside member shelters every day strengthening the people and systems that support survivors through training, research, advocacy, and collaboration. Love a Shelter is one small but visible reflection of that ongoing commitment. “Supporting shelter workers strengthens shelters,” says Champagne. “And when shelters are strong, communities are safer.” Albertans can participate by downloading a Valentine template or creating their own message of encouragement and mailing it to ACWS. More information, templates, and mailing details are available at acws.ca/loveashelter.

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Jenny Adams
President and Founder, The Adams Agency
jenny@theadamsagency.ca | 780-707-9101