REGINA - Shelter Movers, a charitable organization that helps transition women from dangerous living situations, is coming to Regina.
The group has been targeting expanding into Regina for a while now.
"Saskatchewan has the highest rate of interpersonal violence in Canada. And so the need [for this type of service] has been existing here for a long time," said Lisa Williams, chapter director for Shelter Movers Regina.
show in 2023, Sask. had the highest amount of intimate partner violence per 100,000 people among the 10 Canadian provinces. In 2023, the amount reported was 710, which has been consistent with Sask. reported numbers since 2019, hovering around the 700 range.
Even though Shelters Movers knew there was a need, "it was very hard to get funds," said Sam Stiles, Shelter Movers growth and expansion manager.
Stiles mentioned the organization received funding for five years from the Women and Gender Equality Canada, which is being used to open up new chapters across the country, including sites in Winnipeg and Edmonton.
How does it work?
As Williams mentioned, the organization "takes referrals from all types of community partners, and so it could be police, it could be your housing worker [or] it could be someone who you're working with through therapy or counselling."
Once Shelter Movers receives the information, they will work with the women and create a custom moving experience for them.
"They let our staff know when she wants to leave, how she wants to leave, what she wants in storage [and] what she wants to take," said Williams.
By doing this, she pointed out that it kind of gives power back to the women.
Based on the situation, the organization will classify the movements as low, medium or high-risk moves.
"For low-risk moves, that's typically where a client has already left and has been in a shelter for a while," said Stiles. "They found secure housing, and they're [now] ready to go to that new home."
As for medium risk, Stiles says that's a client going back to a home to pick their stuff up, where an abuser may live or know about. Shelters Movers will hire security to ensure there is no threat to the client.
Meanwhile, high risk is similar to medium, with more dangerous situations involved due to circumstances. In this case, the police would be involved in the move.
Need for help
Both Stiles and Williams experienced abuse in the past.
As a child, Stiles grew up in an abusive home. "[it] definitely took a toll on me," she said.
Meanwhile, Williams dealt with an abusive relationship decades ago.
"I [eventually] left with nothing but the clothes on my body and the shoes on my feet," she said. Williams added, "in the next few months after [that] was the worst time of my life."
Back then, Williams said there were no shelter movers or second-stage housing available in the area she lived in.
With barely any items with her, it took Williams years to recover all that she lost.
But with Shelter Movers around, Williams noted, "we can store their items for free until they're ready for us to help them go back and get their items, [which] is a huge financial safety."
Even though Shelter Movers is currently available in 10 areas across Canada, many people are unaware that the group even exists.
"The reaction that I'm getting from folks who serve, you know, women in crisis has been a lot of surprise [that it even exists]," said Williams.
Stiles mentioned that depending on their chapter locations, some see anywhere from 20 to 50 clients per month.
"I imagine with Regina, it will be some high numbers because the need is so high there."
Currently, the organization is working with shelters that assist women or families that have fled from violence, which include the SOFIA House and Regina Transition Housing, who will be their first partners.
Additionally, they’ll soon be seeking volunteers to help with their transition jobs. Stiles pointed out the organization functions mostly from volunteers, with few full-time workers.
If all goes well, they aim to start serving clients in Regina in June.
More information about the organization can
