New Pilot Project Strengthens Support for Women in Edmonton
News Release:
Edmonton, AB – A new partnership between 211 Alberta and Edmonton regional women’s shelters aims to provide more streamlined access to critical support services for women and children experiencing violence and crisis. Launched on July 2, this pilot project enhances coordination between 211 Alberta’s community resource specialists and regional shelter staff to ensure individuals and families receive timely, confidential, and compassionate assistance.
The pilot project is designed to enhance access to shelter services for women, children, gender-diverse individuals, and men across the City of Edmonton, Strathcona County, and Sturgeon County. As a collective of shelters, we have long worked together to support those fleeing violence, often relying on informal processes such as warm transfers and phone calls between crisis workers to share bed availability and coordinate safe placements. For years, we’ve recognized the need to reduce the number of calls individuals must make when seeking safety, while also easing the burden on frontline staff.
Unlike public perception, women’s shelters do not have centralized call centres. Our crisis staff are often answering phones while simultaneously supporting residents, serving meals, or de-escalating high-stress situations. This pilot enables more intentional, uninterrupted frontline work by streamlining the intake process and shifting call traffic to a centralized access point through 211 Alberta. It allows individuals to make just one call to be connected with available shelter beds across the region, or, when beds are full, to other appropriate resources. The initiative also improves data collection around bed needs and turn away trends, enhancing collaboration across agencies and allowing us to respond more effectively and equitably to those we serve.
“At WINGS, we know the journey to safety is rarely a straight line. For women fleeing violence, being asked to make multiple calls can mean the difference between getting help and giving up,” says Candace Smallwood, Executive Director of WINGS of Providence. “This pilot is about removing barriers, not adding them. It reflects everything we stand for: compassion, dignity, and timely access to safety. One call should be enough to begin a new chapter.”
The pilot project is a collaborative effort between Edmonton Women’s Shelter Ltd. (WIN House), 211 Alberta, Catholic Social Services, A Safe Place, Sage Seniors Safe House, The Jessica Martel Memorial Foundation, and WINGS of Providence, reflecting a shared commitment to improving crisis intervention services in the region. Following the pilot phase, insights gathered from the initiative will inform future improvements to service coordination and accessibility.
For media inquiries, please contact:
Candace Smallwood
Executive Director, WINGS of Providence
csmallwood@wingsofprovidence.ca
780-426-4985