Medicine Hat Women’s Shelter Society

What Medicine Hat Women’s Shelter Society does

Medicine Hat Women's Shelter Society (MHWSS) is a non-profit charitable organization incorporated February 12, 1980, operating continuously in Medicine Hat, Alberta for over 45 years. It serves individuals and families experiencing family violence across Medicine Hat and the broader Southeast Alberta region through a continuum-of-care model spanning emergency shelter (Phoenix Safe House, 30 beds), second-stage housing (Musasa House, 10 three-bedroom townhouse units), outreach services, adult and youth/children support groups, community education programming, and 24/7 crisis access via helpline, toll-free line, encrypted text line (587-850-5885), and web chat.

The organization's technology stack is operational rather than productized: encrypted text and web chat services built on secure messaging infrastructure for confidential victim communications, standard web content for service information, CanadaHelps for online donation processing, and Constant Contact for newsletter distribution. Phoenix Safe House underwent a major renovation and expansion completed with its Grand Reopening on September 3, 2025. Differentiated programs include the Pet Safekeeping Program (Alberta SPCA partnership addressing a documented barrier-to-leaving), Safe Families Intervention Team (SFIT) police partnership, and Clare's Law disclosure navigation.

MHWSS is funded through a mixed-model non-profit revenue stack: provincial grants (Alberta Community and Social Services, Alberta Justice and Solicitor General), municipal funding (City of Medicine Hat), FCSS allocations, United Way, individual and corporate donations (online, in-kind, vehicle, legacy endowment via Community Foundation of Southeastern Alberta), and annual fundraising events. All services are provided at no cost to clients. The organization is governed by a Board of Directors and operates with 1-10 paid employees, supplemented by volunteers and extensive community partnerships. Charitable Registration #119036929-RR0001.

Name

Medicine Hat Women’s Shelter Society

Legal name

Medicine Hat Women's Shelter Society

Website

https://mhwss.ca

Company type

Private

Founded year

1980

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Medicine Hat Women's Shelter Society is a non-profit operating since 1980 that provides emergency shelter, second-stage housing, outreach, and crisis support services at no cost to individuals and families experiencing family violence across Medicine Hat and Southeast Alberta.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Domestic Violence Shelter and Support Services

NAICS

Temporary Shelters (624221), Community Housing Services (62422), Emergency and Other Relief Services (624230), Community Food and Housing, and Emergency and Other Relief Services (6242)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Hotels, Rooming Houses, Camps & Other Lodging Places (7000)

akta.pro primary industry

Homelessness Prevention, Shelter & Supportive Housing Services (BPAIANAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Emergency Shelter, Camp Management & Non-Food Items (NFI) (BPAGAAAC), Housing Assistance & Homeless Services (BPAGAEAB), Local Public Health & Human Services Administration (BPAIACAK)

Keywords

• Domestic violence shelter
• Family violence support
• Emergency shelter services
• Crisis intervention services
• Community social services

Headquarters

HQ city

Medicine Hat

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations & Charitable Contributions: Monetary donations from individuals, businesses, and community members. Accepts e-transfer, cheque, online donations through CanadaHelps, and in-person donations. Charitable Registration #119036929-RR0001.
2. Government Funding: Funding from provincial government sources including Alberta Community and Social Services and Alberta Justice and Solicitor General. Also receives funding through FCSS (Family and Community Support Services).
3. In-Kind Donations: Physical donations of clothing, household items, children's items, and other essentials from community members and businesses.
4. Vehicle Donations: Partnership with Donate A Car Canada for vehicle donations. Vehicles are recycled or sold at auction with proceeds benefiting the shelter.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels11 records

Core offering

Medicine Hat Women's Shelter Society operates emergency shelter (Phoenix Safe House, 30 beds) and second-stage housing (Musasa House, 10 townhouse units) for individuals and families fleeing family violence, alongside 24/7 crisis helpline, encrypted text and web chat support, outreach, and community education services. All services are provided at no cost to clients in Medicine Hat and Southeast Alberta. The organization also runs support groups for adults, youth and children, safety planning, and a Pet Safekeeping Program in partnership with Alberta SPCA.

Product overview

Medicine Hat Women's Shelter Society is a non-profit organization offering a comprehensive suite of services for individuals and families experiencing family violence. The organization operates two shelter facilities: Phoenix Safe House (30-bed emergency shelter) and Musasa House (second-stage shelter with ten townhouse units). Core programs include outreach services with Safe Families Intervention Team (SFIT) and Clare's Law Navigation, adult and youth/children support groups including the Children's SAFE Program, community education programming, and safety planning services. The organization provides 24/7 support through a helpline, text line, and web chat. Additional services include the Pet Safekeeping Program (partnership with Alberta SPCA), Christmas Hamper Program, Shelter Legacy Program for planned giving, and vehicle donation through Donate A Car Canada. All services are provided at no cost to clients in Medicine Hat and Southeast Alberta.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Phoenix Safe House: 30-bed emergency shelter for individuals experiencing family violence
• Musasa House

Products and services

• Phoenix Safe House A 30-bed emergency shelter for individuals with or without children experiencing family violence. Provides safe haven, meals, support, information, safety planning, and referrals to community resources, available 24/7, 365 days/year.
• Musasa House A second-stage shelter with ten secure, self-contained, three-bedroom townhouse units providing safe housing for up to one year for families who have experienced family violence, including affordable rent, quality childcare, individual support, and educational support groups.
• Outreach Services One-to-one outreach support providing education about family violence, advocacy, support, and referrals available in person, by phone, or video chat.
• Safe Families Intervention Team (SFIT) A partnership with Medicine Hat Police Services where Outreach Workers and Police Officers collaborate to provide coordinated intervention and community referrals to families in need.
• Clare's Law Navigation

Named customers3 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Alberta Health ServicesminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 November 2021Partnership to offer DART (Domestic Abuse Response Team) program. Partnership ended in 2023.
• Alberta SPCAcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017Partnership with Alberta Alliance for the Safety of Animals and People (Alberta SPCA) for the Pet Safekeeping Program. Provides short-term housing for pets belonging to individuals leaving abusive situations while they make safe plans for themselves and families.
• Medicine Hat Police ServicecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSFIT (Safe Families Intervention Team) partnership where Outreach Workers and Police Officers collaborate to provide coordinated, effective response to families in need of intervention and community referrals.
• Community Foundation of Southeastern AlbertacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEndowment fund holder for the Shelter Legacy Program. Donations to the Legacy Program are held in an endowment fund ensuring long-term programmatic funding.
• Donate A Car CanadaminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorVehicle donation partner that accepts RVs, boats, motorcycles and other vehicles for the shelter. Handles all details including free towing and either recycles or sells vehicles at auction. Shelter receives proceeds.
• Sun Valley HondaminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorChristmas Hamper Program donation drop-off location in Medicine Hat.
• Davis GMC BuickminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorChristmas Hamper Program donation drop-off location in Medicine Hat.
• First Assembly ChurchminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorClothing donation partner - accepts clothing donations at 395 9th Street SE, Medicine Hat.
• DYL FashionsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorClothing donation partner at 622 3rd Street SE, Medicine Hat.
• Hillcrest ChurchminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFurniture and household items donation partner at 3785 13 Avenue SE, Medicine Hat (call first).
• Salvation Army Thrift StoreminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorClothing and furniture donation partner at 457 3rd Street SE, Medicine Hat. Also serves as recipient for donations the shelter cannot accept.
• Scotiabank GroupminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPresenting sponsor of the 24th Annual MHWSS Charity Golf Tournament.
• Medicine Hat SPCAminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCo-host of the 11th Annual Pet Walk fundraiser event supporting both organizations.
• Alberta Council of Women's ShelterscoreOthersMember organization providing advocacy, resources, and coordination for women's shelters across Alberta.
• Women's Shelter CanadacoreOthersMember organization providing national coordination and advocacy for women's shelters across Canada.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• YWCA Calgary: Larger, established Alberta non-profit operating a broader portfolio of women-focused services including emergency shelter, housing, and community programs. Overlaps with MHWSS but serves a much wider mandate and geography.
• Brenda Strafford Foundation: Alberta charitable organization operating women's shelters and family violence prevention programs (e.g., Joan Chicken's House, Suzanne Petersen House). Comparable mission and provincial footprint, but broader health and social service portfolio.
• YWCA Edmonton: Major Edmonton-based non-profit operating crisis shelter, housing, and support services for women and families fleeing violence. Larger and more urban than MHWSS, but highly comparable program model and Alberta funding base.

Others

• Alberta Council of Women's Shelters (ACWS): Provincial umbrella/advocacy body of which MHWSS is a member. Not a direct competitor but the coordinating network for comparable Alberta shelters, providing peer benchmarks, training, and policy advocacy.
• Women's Shelters Canada: National umbrella organization for women's shelters across Canada, of which MHWSS is a member. Provides sector-wide advocacy, research, and coordination; serves as a reference point for peer-shelter performance and funding trends.

Direct peers

• Lurana Shelter (Edmonton): Edmonton-based emergency shelter and family violence support organization offering comparable shelter, outreach, and education services. Direct service-model peer within the Alberta women's shelter network.
• Calgary Women's Emergency Shelter: Direct peer operating emergency shelter and support services for family violence victims in Calgary, Alberta. Highly comparable mission, service mix, and provincial funding base to MHWSS, but at a meaningfully larger urban scale.
• Central Alberta Women's Emergency Shelter Society (Red Deer): Direct peer providing emergency shelter, second-stage housing, outreach, and education for family violence victims in Central Alberta. Same Alberta provincial funding ecosystem and member of Alberta Council of Women's Shelters.
• Women In Need Society (WINS) of Calgary: Calgary-based non-profit delivering shelter, housing, and supportive services to women and families fleeing violence and poverty. Comparable service portfolio and Alberta operating context to MHWSS.

Regional players

• Interval House (Toronto): Long-established Toronto-area emergency shelter and support services for women fleeing violence. Comparable service mix (shelter, counselling, outreach, children/youth programs) but operates in a different provincial regulatory and funding environment.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/MHWomensShelter
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCTTyppGsr7g8ZGYtvfBJZSw?app=desktop
• Facebookfacebook.com/MHWomensShelter
• Instagraminstagram.com/mhwomensshelter

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds3 records

Investors3 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Medicine Hat Women’s Shelter Society