Domestic Violence Outreach Services Reaching into and educating our community.

Post-residential & Outreach Support

From April 2007-May 2008 Alberta shelters handled nearly 70,000 crisis calls. Statistics like these demonstrate that numerous women in our communities are being impacted by domestic violence and many are reaching out for support. A percentage of them may find their way to an emergency shelter, but with a staggering 14,000 women and children being turned away from shelters due to lack of space, many of them will need to find support through a domestic violence outreach program that can help them find alternative housing, access to community resources, assistance with safety planning and more.    Sonshine’s domestic violence outreach services were introduced to offer post-residential support to women completing Sonshine’s residential program and support to women in the community who have not been a resident at Sonshine, but have experienced domestic abuse. Services include, but are not limited to: ·         Counseling support ·         Safety planning ·         Research, referrals and advocacy in accessing community resources, affordable housing and household goods If you or someone you know has been impacted by domestic abuse, our trained and dedicated outreach counsellor is available to offer support and guide them in their journey to safety. Contact us at 403. 243.2002,  extension 106 or by email.

Community Kitchen Program

Community Kitchen- Calgary’s Cooking program offered in partnership with Community Kitchen Program of Calgary, consisting of a group of women meeting to plan a 14-day menu based on "specials" advertised in major food store flyers as well as foods available from local wholesalers. The cost to cook the 14-day menu is determined and divided between the participants based on the numbers of portions each requires. Each participant pays for their share of the food. The Community Kitchen Program shops for the food and delivers it to the local community kitchen. Participants then meet on a specified cooking day to prepare the 14 main course meals. Homemade soups for lunches and pancakes or muffins for breakfast are optional. After preparation is completed, individual family portions are packaged and taken home to be frozen for use over a two-week period. If you have been impacted by domestic violence, you know how debilitating its isolating effects are. We encourage you to join this program and benefit from a great support network and cost-effective meals for your family. Contact us at 403. 243.2002, extension 106 or by email.