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Alberta Council of Women’s Shelters (ACWS) Celebrates 40th Anniversary

April 11, 2023

Landmarks in Edmonton and Calgary to be Lit Purple to Mark the Occasion 

Edmonton, AB – On April 11, 2023, the Alberta Council of Women’s Shelters (ACWS) marks its 40th anniversary as the provincial network organization of domestic violence shelters in Alberta. The registered charity brings close to four decades of experience and knowledge to serve its 39 members operating over 50 shelters across the province for survivors, their children, and seniors facing domestic abuse. 

On April 11, the High Level Bridge in Edmonton and the Calgary Tower will be lit purple to mark ACWS’ 40th anniversary and to bring awareness to survivors of domestic violence and abuse. The colour purple is a symbol used by many nonprofits that support survivors of domestic violence, including many of ACWS’ members across the province. 

“ACWS is proud to have served Alberta shelters for 40 years, providing support and resources, and working together to end domestic violence,” said Jan Reimer, Executive Director of ACWS. “We have come a long way in creating awareness and understanding of the impacts of domestic violence on families and communities. However, we still have a long way to go. We are committed to continuing our efforts to advocate for our members and the survivors they support, to raise awareness, and to chart a bold course to end domestic abuse.” 

ACWS member shelters are dedicated to ensuring that every person in Alberta who needs it has access to safety, support, and resources to help them lead lives free from violence and abuse. ACWS’ work includes developing and delivering education programs for the public and the violence prevention sector—including a recently launched online training platform—sharing knowledge and promising practices, conducting research, and engaging with government, community partners, and stakeholders. 

“On behalf of the Government of Alberta, thank you to our partners at ACWS for their dedicated 40 years of work,” said Parliamentary Secretary for Status of Women, Tanya Fir. “Women’s shelters across the province provide a critical service ensuring that women, children, and seniors facing domestic violence are provided with the support and resources they need to heal and move forward. Our government commends ACWS for their leadership and commitment to ending domestic violence.”

As ACWS celebrates its 40th anniversary, it continues to be a strong voice for survivors of domestic violence, providing leadership and advocacy for those affected by abuse. ACWS will be hosting various events throughout the year to mark its 40th anniversary and celebrate the achievements and contributions of its members, including a 3-day summit to be held May 2-4. The Leading Change Summit will feature speaker Jonathan Van Ness at the headline event at the Edmonton Convention Centre on May 3. 

For more information on ACWS and its work, visit www.acws.ca. 

Contact:
Olivia Street, Coordinator of Communications and Social Advocacy
Phone: (780) 456-7098
Email: olivia.street@acws.ca 

About ACWS: 

ACWS works to advocate for its members and collaborates with them to end domestic violence through culture-shifting violence prevention programs, collective data and research, and front-line training. With the support of ACWS, Alberta shelters are helping to provide safety, support families, and improve communities.