Discovery House is a Calgary-based charity dedicated to supporting women and children escaping domestic violence by providing the long-term care and resources they need to rebuild their lives. Since its founding in 1980, this second-stage shelter has served as a beacon of hope, offering a safe haven for survivors at a time when options beyond short-term emergency stays were scarce. With a mission to create a community free of domestic violence, Discovery House continues to empower families through comprehensive programs and unwavering support. Though significant progress has been made, the organization remains committed to ensuring every survivor has the opportunity to thrive. We connected with Anita Hofer, Director of Strategy and Communications, to discover more about them.
Describe your charity/non-profit/volunteer work in a few sentences.
Discovery House works with families leaving domestic violence. Discovery House provides housing, mental health counselling, parenting programs and more. We work with approximately 600 people a year, and most of them are children. The work of our professionals helps the child and their parents stop the cycle of violence forever, reimagine a new future and rebuild their lives.
What problem does it aim to solve?
In Canada, a woman is killed by her partner every 6 days and 29% of women will experience violence from their intimate partner in their lifetime. The trauma of this can have lifelong and devastating consequences, especially for children exposed to violence at a young age. But, the good news is that with the right approaches at the right time, the trauma can be healed.
When did you start/join it?
Discovery House was incorporated in 1980, after being launched in the late 70s by a group of bold women. Opinions on marriage and relationships were changing in the 70s, including changes to the Divorce Act and Discovery House became the city’s very first transition shelter. Over time, more programs have been added such as Canada’s very first scattered-site family violence housing program.
What made you want to get involved?
I enjoy having meaningful work that has a long-term positive impact. I love that Discovery House focuses on working not just with the parent, but with the children to help stop the cycle of violence. Housing is a big passion of mine. I’m a communications generalist so I’ve had the privilege of dabbling in a lot of areas including marketing, volunteer management, event design and donor stewardship. My current role has grown to include government relations and policy work which has been fascinating. I’ve learned a lot!
What was the situation like when you started?
I’ve only been at the organization for 3 years, but when I started the support and admin staff (like me) were working almost exclusively remotely because of the pandemic! Shelters were one of the emergency services that didn’t shut down during COVID, but strict masking and distancing was required by our shelter team. As a result of COVID-19, families were quite isolated, and this took a toll. I’m so glad we’re back in the office, and that families have returned to in-person programs and counselling. It’s also nice to bump into my teammates at the water cooler and have lunch together. Most of our workforce works hybrid now.
How has it changed since?
More recently at Discovery House, there has been an amazing focus on cultural healing and support for clients and staff. About 40% of the families we get to work with are Indigenous. This includes education for staff, programs for clients, and even a beautiful new cultural healing space at our building. The room opened on June 21, 2023, with a pipe ceremony led by Elders Martin and Pam Heavy Head, who have worked with us to help provide Indigenous programs and support for families. It was a moving day with huge smiles on everyone’s faces. The organization also created a full-time Cultural Liaison role. Our Liaison is a smart, approachable woman who is also an Indigenous mother. She’s created many opportunities for families to connect with their culture which they may not have accessed before. Just this month we had a smudge box-making class and a Muslim prayer beads class! One of the benefits of this cultural focus is that some children received their Indigenous name from Elders, something that families have been so proud of.
What more needs to be done?
Domestic violence is sadly on the rise. There is a lot of work to do, and it isn’t the job of just one group or one level of government to do it. Building awareness about gender-based violence with the general public would go a long way! In the immediate future, working on the affordable housing shortage is critical. Many of the families we work with struggle to find good, safe housing that fits their budget. That means women who’ve experienced violence stay in the relationship longer or go back to the perpetrator. Having bigger (but still affordable) rental units that are three and four-bedroom would help struggling families develop roots in the community after they leave our programs and services.
How can our readers help?
Your readers can help by learning about how to recognize the signs of violence and the resources in Calgary. If people want to get involved in a hands-on way, volunteer opportunities of all kinds are available. We can’t do what we do without community support, and donations to Discovery House are always appreciated! DH has been recognized as a Top 100 Charity in Canada by Charity Intelligence for 6 years running, so donors can rest assured their money is used wisely.
Do you have any events coming up?
Our International Women’s Day event is running on the morning of Friday, March 7. It is our biggest and only fundraising event of the year. This year’s event features an incredible woman you’ll never forget. Guests at least year’s event left feeling inspired and energized. Start your day off right with all the coffee you can drink and a delicious, hot breakfast in the beautiful Calgary Petroleum Club. Bring your sisters, mothers, besties and co-workers!
Where can we follow you?
Find out more and get your early bird tickets on our website. Follow us on Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn.
PAY IT FORWARD: What is an awesome local charity that you love?
We are lucky to work with so many incredible organizations. The work that they do to support mothers at Made By Momma is awesome.
