Calgary non-profit expands support for young women facing homelessness

A Calgary-based non-profit is expanding its services through a new community hub and transitional housing space supporting women and girls at risk of homelessness.

The Safe Haven Foundation announced that the Safe Haven Community Hub and Haven Harbour Residences is now open in the city's southwest.

"This is a space that was built with care. It's rooted in belonging and it's designed to grow futures," said Safe Haven CEO Krystyna Lloyd at the building's opening on Wednesday.

The building combines a social gathering space offering wellness workshops, life skills coaching, Indigenous-led healing circles and community meals. It has shared and independent residences for young women transitioning from other Safe Haven housing programs.

"This is going to strengthen our families. It's going to rebuild natural supports. It's going to create future leaders here in our province of Alberta that are equipped with confidence and tools to thrive with," said Julia Hayter, the NDP MLA for Calgary-Edgemont and provincial shadow minister for the status of women.

The residence space increases the number of youth Safe Haven can serve by 150 per cent, equating to over 3,285 supported bed nights annually. Residents stay an average of two years as they work on completing their education and finding employment. 

Lloyd said the project grew out of feedback from alumnae of Safe Haven's supportive living program, Haven's Way.

"There was a desire to still be connected to coaching and support while first living independently," Lloyd said, adding the new space now makes that possible for residents.

Melissa Wheeler was the first resident of Safe Haven when it opened its doors 25 years ago. Since then she has worked to help build and grow the organization.

"The home gave me the safety and stability and the chance to dream for a better life, which hopefully I stand before you today to say, 'Hey, it can happen,'" she said at the announcement. "Being here today, it is this next stage of Safe Haven's journey."

Addressing the need for a safe space

According to research published by the Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation in 2024, homelessness among women and girls is not well documented, yet there are indications they experience it at a disproportionate rate to men.

The Homeless Hub also found estimates of women's homelessness are often undercounted, as they are less likely to access homelessness services, either remaining in an unsafe housing situation or leaning on personal connections.

Karen Sherbut started Safe Haven with her husband John in 2000. She left home at 16 years old, moving between friends' places while working three jobs and going to school. She said she was fortunate to have those safe places to stay, and wanted to provide the same for other young women in similar situations.

"When I met John, he asked me what I wished I would have had when I was a kid," Sherbut said. "And it was a safe place to call home where I didn't have to worry about where my next meal was coming from, where I didn't have to worry about working every day — that I could go to school and focus on my studies."

Sherbut and her husband then posed that same question to youth facing homelessness, whether it was at local shelters or on street corners. They found many wanted the same thing Sherbut did.

Safe Haven is now the only program of its kind in Canada, Sherbut said, focusing on prevention and long-term change for young women who would otherwise be overlooked.

A long time coming

Lloyd said the new space has been in the works for several years. They started the project in 2020, but pandemic-related delays forced them to rethink their fundraising strategy. 

Fortunately, Lloyd said, several local donors came through. But, she stresses, the work is just beginning.

"It took such a big push and so much community to make this possible, but it takes just as much effort to maintain it," said Lloyd.

Still, Sherbut said seeing the space finally open is a "surreal," full-circle moment.

"I remember Melissa walking through the doors only 25 years ago," Sherbut said. "She was the first girl, and for her to be there standing with us today is one of the highlights of the 30 years that John and I have been doing this." 

"It just brings everything home."