Medicine Hat women's shelter receives grant from Cypress County towards expansion and renovation. Jayk Sterkenburg/CHAT News

By Jayk Sterkenburg

IN THE COMMUNITY

Medicine Hat women’s shelter receives $225K grant from Cypress County

Mar 4, 2025 | 4:48 PM

The Medicine Hat Women’s Shelter Society received a significant donation from Cypress County Tuesday, with a presentation of a $225,000 donation being made towards the Phoenix Safe House Emergency Shelter.

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Natasha Carvalho, executive director of the MHWSS, said the donation is dedicated to the outdoor courtyard area of the shelter.

She said it will be a space for people to find refuge and heal.

“We all know how wonderful it is to be outside and to be in those kind of spaces,” she said.

“For the kids, especially, we try to make sure that things are as normal as possible. And so if they can be outside and just be thriving and enjoying and healing, that’s really what it boils down to.”

Carvalho said that with that possibility, the shelter can create flower beds, community gardens, and a playground area for the children.

“I always say people need a soft space to land when they’re in crisis, and we need to be that space.”

Carvalho said an outdoor space is needed because a lot of the families don’t feel safe to leave the shelter because of a potential abuser in the community.

The MHWSS continues to seek financial support to cover the cost for the $8.5 million expansion project.

The expansion and renovation at the Phoenix Safe House began in November 2023.

Hamilton said the women’s shelter and Cypress County have had a solid relationship for years, and Cypress County has always been there to help out.

Natasha Carvalho (left) and Dan Hamilton (right), with Cypress County council. Jayk Sterkenburg/CHAT News

Hamilton said that the benefit the women’s shelter brings to the community is huge.

“The ladies at the women’s shelter have done a fantastic job to look into the future, and to build this up, and bring it forward for what’s needed,” he said.

“They recognize what’s needed, they see it everyday,” he added.

“The steps they’ve done to build an add-on, it’s tremendous for the region.”

Carvalho said that the renovation and expansion of the shelter is appearing to be on time, and hopes the new space will be ready by the end of the summer.