There have been over 1,200 calls reporting domestic violence in Airdrie, this year alone. This is four times the provincial average of domestic violence reports.

Since only about ten percent of women call to report domestic violence, 1,200 is only a fraction of cases that are actually ongoing.

To date, Airdrie has never had its own women's shelter, a place of refuge for women and children suffering from domestic abuse.

Crystal Boys, founder of Airdrie POWER, is pleased to reveal that a women's day shelter will be opening in Airdrie in early 2019. No date has yet been set as they are still working on finalizing a location.

It has been extremely difficult for victims of domestic abuse to seek refuge in the community of Airdrie due to this lack of a local shelter.

"Women that are fleeing or stuck in domestic violence, it's very scary to have to get relocated to another city and it disrupts children's lives. We need it here because Calgary can't handle their own load of domestic violence with the shelters that they have," says Boys.

This new day shelter will give women all the access and resources that an emergency shelter would give you, the only difference being that they won't be able to spend the night. Boys says that Airdrie POWER hopes to open an emergency shelter in the future but their focus right now is on getting the day shelter started in Airdrie. 

Airdrie POWER has been helping victims of domestic violence the best way they can without a shelter.

"Right now, we can help them with an emergency hamper that gives them the basic necessities to get through a few days, and we can also help them connect with resources that they would need and unfortunately at this time, they would be ushered to another city with a shelter, if the shelter has a bed available," explains Boys.

As a non-profit organization, Airdrie POWER operates solely on volunteers and donations, so getting a shelter started has been an uphill battle.

Airdrie POWER is having their third annual New Years Eve Gala Fundraiser, which will be a great way to ring in the new year while supporting this important local cause. Tickets are available now until December 30th on their website.

 

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