Rebuilding shattered lives cont.
(24 staff). We’ve reappropriated every space possible and it is a very busy place.”
At times need is so great Carvalho admits having found room for an additional six beds, and having relocated women to other shelters within the region. More than 900 individuals entered Phoenix Safe House between 2011 and 2012, 400 of whom were women.
Phoenix Safe House is a restricted access facility with monitored grounds, additional security and a low profile but Carvalho says every taxi driver knows where it is. Its doors are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Two full-time crisis workers, two child support workers and a community outreach worker interact directly with women as they prepare to enter the Society’s second stage housing program.
“
Musasa House consists of nine two- storey townhouse units and one barrier free unit made available to women who have accessed Phoenix Safe House but do not have the resources to house or support their families.
“We developed Musasa House six years ago because we believe women need more than just 21 days to stabilize their lives. Women and their children can stay in a unit for up to one year. Each unit has three bedrooms, a kitchen and a living area.”
Carvalho says many of the women who enter Phoenix Safe House and ultimately Musasa House are overwhelmed by what happened to them. Many have never been self-
sufficient. A surprising number of the women shelter staff encounter are overwhelmed by their circumstances while their children are excited by the concept of a fresh start. Musasa House is the only second stage shelter south of Calgary.
Despite the increase in capacity and the successes local women have achieved with the help of the Medicine Hat Women’s Shelter Society, Carvalho admits her job, and those of her staff, is getting more difficult.
I was raised to believe I could do anything I wanted.
“The incidences of family violence are increasing. The cases are getting more serious. The stories are getting much scarier and that is definitely making this job harder to do. Our
”
emergency shelter is funded by the province but our second stage shelter is not.”
Although Musasa House does receive a small amount of funding from the City of Medicine Hat, and Carvalho applies for every grant she can, fundraising is a part big of her job.
“Sometimes, in 2013, I wonder why we still have to fundraise in order to provide essential services. I knock on doors, hold gala events and gratefully accept all donations because it is important to all of us that women and children have a safe place to go.”
Why does she do it?
“I look at my girls, seven and three, and I think about them. I want them to have the opportunity to do all of the things we’ve all worked hard to allow them to do — have a safe community to raise their families in.” ■
Our Constituency Offi ces: Brooks
Medicine Hat #112 - 1310 Kingsway Ave SE Medicine Hat, AB T1A 2Y4 Phone: 403-528-4698 Fax:403-528-4365 Email:
paynel2@parl.gc.ca
LaVar Payne, Member of Parliament
Medicine Hat Constituency
Phone: 403-416-2400 or 1-800-565-4694 Email:
paynel1@parl.gc.ca
64 | 2013 REPORT ON SOUTHEAST ALBERTA
5324-48th Ave In the Community Futures Offi ce, Taber, AB
Taber
Box 640, #2-403-2nd Ave W. Brooks, AB T1R 1B6 Phone: 1-800-565-4694 /403-362-7677 Fax:403-362-7055 Email:
paynel1@parl.gc.ca
Ottawa Offi ce 110-Justice Building House of Commons Ottawa, Ontario, K1A 0A6 Phone: 613-992-4516 Fax: 613-992-6181 Email:
paynel@parl.gc.ca
41110442•03/26/13
Big It's a
and a little kind of thing
By STACEY LEE
Fifteen-year-old Dylan Cameron was matched with his “big brother” when he was eight. His father passed away in 2005 and his mom, Heidi Cameron, identified his need for a male role model. He remembers meeting Greg Wilson very clearly.
“I was very excited to meet him because I didn’t have a guy in my life,” says Dylan. “It was really nice to hang out with a guy and just talk about things — things I wouldn’t want to discuss with my mom.”
The two started meeting once a week. Six years later Dylan says Wilson has helped him maximize
his youth.
“Knowing Greg — having his support — has definitely made my childhood a lot better — a lot more fun,” he says. “I’ve had someone to do activities with. That is a big part of any childhood and Greg gave that to me.”
Wilson was a single guy who had just moved to the Gas City in 2007 when he decided to volunteer at the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Medicine Hat and District. He didn’t know many people so he certainly had time to spare but has found his commitment to Dylan has continued to be a priority.
“I started in an attempt to be a
Natalie Crook enjoys volunteering as a Big sister for Mackenzie Wood.
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