COCHRANE— COVID-19 is increasing the complexity and intensity of clients seeking help from Big Hill Haven.
The non-profit women's shelter is continuing to react and adapt to the COVID-19 pandemic, said Big Hill Haven Fund Development Officer Tara McFadden, explaining 2020 proved to be a transformational year for the small organization.
“We have been able to expand our ability to help,” McFadden said.
The current round of stringent health measures has been different, McFadden said, because they are seeing a higher level of awareness and engagement with those seeking Big Hill Haven's help
“The cases that we're dealing with, there’s more of them, but they're also more intense and they're taking more resources on behalf of our team to help people,” McFadden said. “It’s not just physical abuse— There’s the mental abuse, financial abuse controlling people through money and assets.”
Chairperson Valerie Gilmore praised the work of the Big Hill Haven board and staff for their commitment to supporting those experiencing domestic abuse in the Cochrane and area community.
“As a community, we can do better to help women and families and men who are experiencing domestic violence,” Gilmore said.
It is critical to have support available in Cochrane, she said, because numerous studies have shown women from smaller communities fleeing domestic abuse need to be able to stay in the community with their supports.
“You’re leaving with everything that you have in your pockets and on your person,” Gilmore said. “It’s such a huge impact.”
The rural aspect of domestic abuse in the Cochrane area can also lead to intense isolation making conversations around domestic abuse all the more significant in creating change.
These conversations are helpful because when people witness domestic abuse they are not always certain what to do, Gilmore said. By talking about the issue it can help people know how to react and provide assistance.
“A huge key part of our work is the fact that anyone can call us if they see something,” Gilmore said. “Anyone can call us and ask us a question— We can find that person to help.”
The non-profit was proud to see its first official Haven open, she said, because it has taken three years of hard work to provide access to the shelter in the community.
“The need is there,” Gilmore said. “I don’t think the Haven has been empty for any significant amount of time since August.”
The Cochrane Foundation helped pay for the bulk of furnishings in the Haven providing beds, blankets, pillows and dishes to those in need.
Between Big Hill Haven's part-time outreach worker and recently added housing coordinator, the non-profit has been able to provide about 55 hours of availability to clients a week.
From August 2019 to July 2020 Big Hill Haven saw 82 nights of shelter provided primarily through a rental property. The non-profit also provided 220 hours of peer support.
The non-profit's Haven officially launched in August 2020 and through to the end of December hosted seven clients, McFadden said, providing 150 nights of shelter total in that time for clients and their children. At the same time, they saw 22 new clients engage with the non-profit.
“There’s a high need, but we also have a solution and people are more aware Big Hill Haven is here to help,” McFadden said.
The Haven is available for those in need, but at the same time offering support is becoming more challenging as they are required to keep families separate to adhere to provincial health protocols. To adapt to current public measures a secondary accommodation has been available.
Emergency housing is a piece of the work Big Hill Haven does in the community to support those experiencing domestic abuse, McFadden said, explaining staff are ready to help those on the road to leaving an abusive situation in a variety of different ways.
“You don’t have to leave to access our resources,” McFadden said. “There’s a whole wrap-around support that has to happen— It’s not always about a bruise on a face and getting somebody into a different physical location. It’s really complex."
The focus for the future of the non-profit is raising awareness about domestic abuse and helping people understand it is in the community.
“You can’t solve something if it's hiding in the shadows,” McFadden said. “We want to normalize the conversation and accept that it’s a reality— We’re trying to create a community around helping people.”
McFadden said the non-profit hopes to be a part of making the Cochrane area a complete community and ensuring every resident has a safe place to call home.
Big Hill Haven is continuing to fundraise during the COVID-19 pandemic to ensure they can advance and expand staff support and the emergency shelter.
Gilmore said she is proud of how the community has risen to meet the needs of the non-profit.
The recent fundraising challenge 100 for the Haven is helping to secure the sustainability of the non-profit. The program encourages participants to donate $100 a month to Big Hill Haven. All donations will receive a tax receipt.
Big Hill Haven is actively recruiting new volunteers and board members to help expand the help they can offer as the organization grows.
The non-profit also encourages people to donate gift cards as they empower people and provide the freedom to support families.
“It takes us from not only being crisis management for our clients but allows for our organization to be sustainable,” McFadden said. “Every dollar makes a difference.”
