Shelter for men and boys of Afro-Caribbean descent opens in Calgary

A transitional housing program has just opened and it's being hailed as the first of its kind in Calgary.

"It's the first men's shelter in Calgary and I think it's pretty historic," Kim Ruse told reporters Thursday at an open house.

Ruse is the CEO at FearIsNotLove, a social service organization.

Mandela House is aimed specifically at men and boys of African or Caribbean background.

That's a big shift.

"Anything that deviates from our normal understanding of what the issue is, is a difficult conversation for people to have," Ruse said.

"Typically, seeking help for anybody is very challenging. It's overwhelming and it requires being vulnerable. For men, in particular, that can be very challenging and difficult."

Dee Adekugbe is the executive director at Ruth's House, which is a partner shelter.

She says having a shelter just for men makes sense.

"Men also are going through domestic violence, as well as men who are using violence against women and children," Adekugbe said. "We want to make sure we work with the entire family for the healing, the restoration and the repair that needs to be done."

She said the demand never goes away.

"There is such a need for this house and programs for men to be able to get the help they need," she said.

"We wanted to take care of our people, so they have access to that cultural piece."

A communications person said the shelter receives no government funding.