Safe Haven marked a 30-year milestone in its journey to assist young women and girls at risk of homelessness, with the opening of a new community hub and Haven’s Harbour Residences on July 23.

The Calgary-based non-profit began fundraising efforts to create the dual-use space in 2024, which was bolstered by an anonymous $1 million donation made towards the project through the Calgary Foundation.

Haven’s Harbour has three one-bedroom units, one two-bedroom unit, and two dorm-style units for women in differing stages of transition to independence, each with its own kitchen and access to a large shared kitchen and community gathering space as part of the community hub.

Krystyna Lloyd, CEO of Safe Haven Foundation, said that the opening of the southwest building was allowing, for the first time, a pair of the non-profit’s program streams to be brought together under one roof.

“Haven’s Way is our foundational wrap-around holistic support model, and Haven’s Harbour is our transitional bridge between our two programs, and never before have those two program streams been able to meet in one central space,” Lloyd said.

She said that the new building would also provide a space for alumni from the Safe Haven programming to return to, which would be a powerful way to build community.

“This is what prevention looks like, by giving a community that everyone that we support can return to long after they leave these walls,” Lloyd said.

Creating a supportive community for women and girls

Up to nine residents at a time would be supported by the new housing, which increases the number of bed nights annually that can be provided by Safe Haven to 3,285.

Regular programming in the hub is set to include wellness workshops, life skills coaching, Indigenous-led programming, community meals, and social gatherings.

Safe Haven co-founder Karen Sherbut said that they don’t put any timelines on how long support is given to women using their programs or housing, as post-secondary education is a component of their time in the residences, and those courses range from months to years to complete.

“At Haven’s Way or here at Haven’s Harbour, it’s that opportunity for them to get their feet in the ground, stand strong and just as a normal family, healthy, functioning family,” Sherbut said.

“It’s not age, it’s not time, it’s when they’re ready.”

The opening was emceed by Melissa Wheeler, who was the very first woman to walk through the doors of the Haven’s Way home in November of 2000.

“It was the home that I needed to change my life and put me on the path to being the woman standing before you today,” Wheeler said.

“The home gave me the safety and stability and the chance to dream for a better life, which, happily, I stand before you today to say it can happen. Being here today, in this next stage of Safe Haven’s journey, it’s incredibly meaningful to me to be here with everyone today.”

The building is also set to be the new home for Safe Haven’s team, something that Lloyd said would provide benefits for both clients and for the ability for the non-profit to deliver programming.

She said that the office spaces would allow Safe Haven to no longer pay rent for office spaces, and that would free up funding that can be used to deliver services.