Presented by: Aimee Sarsons, BSW, RSW Community Education & Awareness Programs and services Presented by: Aimee Sarsons, BSW, RSW Community Education & Awareness

24-Hour Help Line 403-529-1091 or 1-800-661-7949 Locally operated help lines available 24-hours a day to individuals who are in crisis or are seeking support Trained Crisis Intervention Workers can provide emotional support, information, safety planning and referrals as well as complete possible admission to residential program

Phoenix Safe House Emergency Shelter Provides safe, temporary accommodation for women meeting shelter mandate Available to women with or without children Shelter location is confidential Funded for 30 beds Residential stays are day-to-day, up to a maximum of 21 days. Extensions can be granted Shelter is staffed 24/7 by Crisis Intervention Workers. In addition to the helpline, their role is to help residents of the shelter with case management, provide emotional support and information related to family violence and community resources. They are also trained in completing Danger assessments and safety planning. If an individual does not wish to come into residence but wants support, the workers can do what is called a Drop In appointment to complete an assessment and safety planning, and refer individuals to Outreach Services if they are interested. Males are able to call the helpline and come into the shelter for drop ins. At this time, we are unable to accommodate males to stay in shelter, but will help them with options if they need a place to stay.

Musasa House Second Stage Program A year long residential program which offers a continuum of services to families including individual and group work to heal from the impacts of family violence 10 fully furnished units On-going safety planning and commitment to all aspects of the program is essential Musasa Treehouse Daycare Program is also available First of all, let me explain the name for Musasa House….(explain) The need for a safe and secure residence is often an issue for women who are escaping violence. In the past, Musasa took only women who had children into the program. More recently, we have recognized a need for single women as well…we are beginning a pilot project to work out the logistics of housing single women in the program. We are wanting to respond to the needs of the clients but we also need to ensure we work out all the details of providing such a program. Musasa has daily groups for women in the mornings, daycare is provided, and topics cover issues such as family violence, parenting, household management, life skills, boundaries, etc. Each resident is assigned a family support worker, who will also provide one to one support to the women during their stay at Musasa. The Child support worker also connects with each child and parent, and provided one to one support for the children as well as childrens groups.

Child support team The child support team has three staff at Phoenix Safe House and one staff at Musasa House. This team provides one to one support for children in shelter and also Outreach services to children in the community. Child Support presents a program called “Hands are not for Hitting” for K-Grade 6 in the community schools. In addition, the child support team runs the children’s group and organizes the SAFE program, which I will discuss in a few minutes.

Outreach Program Provide 1:1 support and education on issues related to family violence In Medicine Hat & surrounding area Individuals in transition from shelter to independent living Individuals who have never stayed in shelter 1:1 support around family violence no matter the race, age, gender, sex Within the past couple years, our Outreach has grown from 1 Outreach worker to 3.5 workers. Outreach is located in the Ridge professional building in order to lessen stigma of attending a shelter for support.

Safe families intervention team (sfit) Formed May 1, 2014 to work as a collaborative team to ensure that families affected by family violence are receiving a coordinated, effective and consistent response Currently consists of one police officer and two outreach workers from MHWSS Focuses on strengthening families through intervention, counselling and appropriate referrals Provide safety planning, abuse and danger assessments and education Safe Families does the same work as Outreach, they just do it out of the police station. In addition, the workers and the officer come to the Ridge once a week, in order for us to have effective team building and communication.

Children’s Support groups Use activities, stories and games to help children aged 5-12 years to share feelings and learn how to keep safe in the home. Children can enter into group at any point thru the group year as long as there is space available.

Seeds to success A 6 week group that prepares participants for Journey to Hope and Healing Includes education on family violence, safety planning and family of origin While in group, women have access to an Outreach worker for 1:1 support and this support can continue after group ends.

Discusses a variety of topics including: anger, setting boundaries, self-esteem, grief & loss, self-care and others. Group is a 14 week commitment and is offered as needed. Helps women who have been abused to heal in their lives and gives them hope and strategies for the future. While in group, women have access to an Outreach worker for 1:1 support and this support can continue after group ends.

Housing First Intake is provided through MHCHS Once assigned, a Housing First Outreach Worker works with the client to secure appropriate & affordable housing in the community Program participation is 12-18 months which includes ongoing supports from their worker to connect them with community supports to help maintain their housing

time for change A program for individuals who recognize and want to change behaviours that are abusive Participants learn how their behaviours affect the ones they love Rebuilding safety takes time This is one to one with an Outreach worker, not group sessions. As with all our other programs, this one is completely voluntary.

Seasonal programming SAFE program Adopt-A-Family Summer Adventure Fun Education Program provides educational, social and recreational opportunities for children in the community and those who are connected to shelter support services during the summer break. Adopt-A-Family A Christmas hamper program which matches sponsors in the community to families connected to shelter programs

Volunteer Program Volunteers go through a mandatory screening process which includes: application and interview, and Child Intervention and police checks Individuals are matched to volunteer opportunities that best meets their interest, skills and availability. Childcare Fundraising/Special Events Reception Meal Preparation Donations Board of Directors & much more!!!

Community education & awareness Presentations and Information displays are provided within Medicine Hat and surrounding area on issues of family violence and services provided by the Medicine Hat Women’s Shelter Society Awareness events throughout the year Presentations are available to schools, businesses, service providers and community groups Presentations are tailored to meet the specific needs of the audience and offered free of charge Presentations include Family Violence 101, Healthy Relationships, Consent, and Family Violence in the Workplace.

Where to call for help Medicine Hat Women’s Shelter Society Local 24 hour help line 403-529-1091 Rural 24 hour help line 1-800-661-7949 Medicine Hat Family Services 403-504-8026 Kid’s Help Phone 1-800-668-6868 Bullying Helpline 1-888-456-2323 Sexual Assault Response Committee 403-548-2717