Calgary Women's Emergency Shelter
Calgary Women's Emergency Shelter (CWES) was established in Calgary in 1974. The Calgary Women's Emergency Shelter has serves individuals who experience domestic abuse. The organization was one of the first not-for-profits in Canada established to provide crisis support for victims of family violence, and prevention programs for the community. CWES started as part of a grassroots movement to assist abused women. CWES is now a full domestic violence service agency with programs that address crisis treatment, intervention and the prevention of domestic violence. The mission of CWES is to end abuse  and violence in the lives of women and their families through empowerment, intervention, advocacy, education, and the mobilization of community resources. Over 16,500 Calgarians seek support each year through one of the shelters many programs. Counsellors respond to over 11,000 calls on the Family Violence Helpline. Family Violence Crisis Support programs include: 24 hr Family Violence Helpline, crisis intervention and counselling (both in the shelter and in the community), secure shelter for women (individual and with children), individual and group counselling for up to a year, support accessing resources and services required to be safe, and counselling/therapy for children /youth. Prevention Programs: Men's Counselling Service provides counselling for abusive men, violence reduction programs for high school students and older women living in abusive relationships, court program and education programs for work places and Calgarians. CWES is funded in part by Calgary and Area CFSA , the United Way of Canada, Family and Community Support Services (FCSS) , the city of Calgary, and Alberta Mental Health Board . CWES also receives funding from individual and corporate donors. Money is distributed to cover educational costs, counseling, and extracurricular activities.