A Safe Place

What A Safe Place does

A Safe Place is a registered Canadian charity operated by the Strathcona Shelter Society Ltd., founded in 1982 and based in Sherwood Park, Alberta. It runs a 35-bed emergency shelter, a 24/7 crisis and family violence information line (780.464.7233), a community outreach program, an Aboriginal Elder Support service, the New Beginnings household-goods program, and public education curricula including 'Three R's', 'Make It Our Business', and 'Cut It Out'. The organization serves women and children fleeing domestic violence across Strathcona County, Sherwood Park, Fort Saskatchewan, and the broader Edmonton metropolitan area, providing accommodation, meals, transportation, counseling, court support, childcare, and safety planning at no cost to clients. Since opening its doors in July 1984, A Safe Place has sheltered and supported more than 25,300 women and children.

The underlying technology stack is intentionally low-tech and human-centric: phone systems for crisis line intake and shelter admissions, email for non-urgent contact, standard office technology for case management, and a content-managed website for awareness, donation processing, and resource directory access. The technology differentiators are operational rather than digital — a unique Pet Safekeeping Program that addresses a common barrier to seeking shelter, and an Aboriginal Elder Support program offering smudging, Seven Sacred Teachings, Talking Circles, and Four Sacred Medicines for Indigenous clients. The organization rebranded in 2021 with a butterfly motif to signal the broader portfolio beyond shelter services. No AI, automation, or proprietary software products are disclosed.

The business model is a non-transactional charity model: services are free to clients, and revenue is a mix of government grants (Alberta Government, Alberta Justice, Strathcona County), United Way Alberta Capital Region allocations, individual donations, monthly giving, and event-driven fundraising. Two flagship annual events anchor the development calendar — the Golf Tournament (sixth annual scheduled for August 21, 2026 at Northern Bear Golf Course, presented by Aecon Industrial) and the Tree of Hope campaign at Sherwood Park Mall (a 20+ year partnership running November through December). The customer segment is undifferentiated by persona — any woman or child fleeing domestic abuse is served regardless of demographics — and the go-to-market is community-led through referrals, outreach, and a 24/7 crisis line.

Name

A Safe Place

Legal name

Strathcona Shelter Society Ltd.

Website

https://asafeplace.ca

Company type

Private

Founded year

1982

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

A Safe Place is a registered Canadian charity operating a 35-bed emergency shelter and 24/7 crisis line for women and children fleeing domestic violence in Strathcona County, Alberta, providing trauma-informed shelter, community outreach, and Aboriginal Elder support services at no charge.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Domestic Violence Support Services

NAICS

Community Housing Services (62422), Individual and Family Services (6241)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Domestic Violence & Abuse Support Services (BPAGAEAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Housing Assistance & Homeless Services (BPAGAEAB), Youth Housing, Foster Care & Wraparound Support (Education-Linked) Nonprofits (BPAGADAO)

Keywords

• Domestic violence shelter
• Crisis intervention services
• Trauma-informed support
• Emergency shelter services
• Community outreach programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Sherwood Park

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Government Grants and Core Funding: Primary funding from Alberta Government, Alberta Justice, and Strathcona County. These government sources provide operational funding for shelter services, crisis lines, and community programs.
2. Donations and Fundraising: Individual donations, monthly giving program, and annual fundraising events (Golf Tournament, Tree of Hope campaign) generate critical revenue for programs, supplies, and building upgrades not covered by government funding.
3. Corporate Sponsorship: Corporate sponsors support events and programs, providing brand visibility and community connection in exchange for sponsorship of golf tournaments, fundraising campaigns, and organizational support.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

A Safe Place, operated by the Strathcona Shelter Society Ltd., runs a 35-bed residential emergency shelter, a 24/7 crisis and shelter intake line, and a community outreach program providing safety planning, counseling, court support, and transition services to women and children fleeing domestic violence in Strathcona County and the greater Edmonton area. Complementary wraparound programs include Aboriginal Elder support, the New Beginnings household goods layette program, and public education curricula on recognizing and responding to abuse. All client-facing services are provided free of charge.

Product overview

A Safe Place is a single-entity crisis support organization operated by the Strathcona Shelter Society Ltd., offering an integrated suite of domestic violence services centered on its 35-bed emergency shelter, 24/7 crisis line, and community outreach program. The organization provides wraparound supports including Aboriginal Elder services, the New Beginnings household goods program, a public education curriculum (Three R's, Make It Our Business, Cut It Out), and a community resource directory. Annual fundraisers (Tree of Hope campaign, golf tournament) and survivor story platforms round out its service portfolio. The organization rebranded in recent years with a butterfly motif to reflect its broader mission beyond shelter-only services.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Emergency Shelter A 35-bed residential facility with 11 bedrooms (including 9 family rooms and semi-private space for single women) providing safe, secure, and confidential accommodation for women and children escaping domestic violence. Includes transportation from Edmonton, Sherwood Park, and Fort Saskatchewan, meals, personal care items, non-prescription medication, laundry facilities, crisis intervention, counseling, court support, child programming, school program access, and legal advocacy, delivered at no cost.
• 24/7 Crisis and Shelter Intake Line A 24/7 crisis hotline (780.464.7233 local, 1.877.252.7233 toll-free, [email protected] email) staffed by trained counselors providing emotional support, information, referrals, danger assessments, safety planning, and shelter intake coordination for individuals navigating domestic abuse, available 365 days a year including holidays and weekends.
• Community Outreach Program One-on-one community-based support for Strathcona County residents navigating domestic violence, including emotional support, safety planning, legal navigation, court support, danger assessments, and referrals to community agencies. Delivered to anyone affected, including those supporting someone experiencing family violence.
• Aboriginal Elder Support Indigenous Elder support services for clients and their children, including smudging, Seven Sacred Teachings, Talking Circles, and Four Sacred Medicines, providing culturally-appropriate care and traditional healing practices to support client recovery.
• New Beginnings Program Provides departing residential and outreach clients with household goods layettes including housewares, bedding, and small appliances to help them establish safe, independent living after leaving the shelter.
• Public Education Programs Educational programs including 'Supporting Others—The Three R's' (recognize, respond, refer), 'Make It Our Business' workplace training, and 'Cut It Out' salon professional education, designed to increase domestic violence awareness and empower community members to support those experiencing abuse.
• Resource Directory A curated database of community and social services including shelters, legal aid, counseling, health services, food banks, and specialized support for children, seniors, and immigrants, helping survivors navigate to appropriate external supports.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 25,000 women and children sheltered since 1984
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered minor, flagship and core.

• Canada World YouthminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational youth exchange organization that has partnered to support the organization and its programs.
• AeconflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor presenting the annual Golf Tournament (sixth annual in 2026). Aecon Industrial has a long-standing commitment, matching dollar-for-dollar funds from bottle drives and providing ongoing community support.
• Sherwood Park MallflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerProud partner hosting the annual Tree of Hope campaign for over 20 years. Provides in-mall location for holiday fundraising campaign.
• Northern Bear Golf CourseminorGTM or Marketing PartnerGolf course venue in Strathcona County hosting the annual Golf Tournament fundraiser.
• Global News EdmontonminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMedia partner for Give Me Shelter Campaign, providing live interviews and coverage to raise awareness and funds for domestic violence support.
• Greenland Garden CentreminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEvent partner hosting annual Spring Fashion Show fundraiser since 2010, featuring designers and raising funds for shelter programs.
• SAFFRON CentrecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSister organization providing sexual assault services and support in the region. Evolved from Safe Talk program that was originally part of A Safe Place. Operates as separate entity providing 24/7 sexual assault support.
• Alberta Council of Women's Shelters (ACWS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvincial organization connecting member shelters to resources, training, and advocacy. A Safe Place is a proud member providing access to provincial network and support.
• Centre to End All Violence (CIAFV)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvincial coalition working to end violence against women. A Safe Place membership supports collaborative efforts and knowledge sharing.
• Women Shelter CanadaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational organization advocating for women's shelters. Membership supports national advocacy and resource sharing.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Regional players

• Vancouver Rape Relief and Women's Shelter: Long-standing Canadian women's shelter and crisis line operator in British Columbia. Comparable in service mix (shelter + crisis line + advocacy) but serves a different region.
• Calgary Women's Emergency Shelter: Calgary-based emergency shelter, 24/7 crisis line, and counselling services for women and children fleeing abuse. Operates a similar wraparound model in another major Alberta urban centre, making it the closest same-province regional comparable.

Broad incumbents

• Women Shelters Canada: National umbrella for women's shelters across Canada. Provides national advocacy, training, and resources to members including A Safe Place, and is the principal national peer from a systems/funding perspective.
• YWCA Canada: National federation providing shelter, housing, and support services to women and families across Canada, including domestic violence programming. Competes for similar government and donor funding pools.
• Alberta Council of Women's Shelters (ACWS): Provincial umbrella organization for member shelters across Alberta. A Safe Place is a member; ACWS provides training, advocacy, and coordination that overlaps with — and competes for — provincial family-violence funding.
• Centre to End All Violence (CIAFV): Alberta coalition working to end violence against women, of which A Safe Place is a member. Operates as a sector coordination body and competes for collective advocacy and grant dollars.

Direct peers

• Interval House (Toronto): Toronto-based emergency shelter, 24/7 crisis line, and transitional housing for women and children fleeing violence. One of Canada's most established shelter operators with a service model closely aligned to A Safe Place.
• WIN House (Edmonton): Edmonton-based women's emergency shelter operating two 24-hour facilities with a similar crisis-line + shelter + outreach model. Direct comparable on services, target population, and Alberta operating context.
• SAFFRON Centre: Sister organization in the same region providing 24/7 sexual assault support. Originally evolved from A Safe Place's Safe Talk program and serves a closely related survivor population in Strathcona County / Edmonton.

Others

• Canadian Women's Foundation: National public foundation that funds and advocates for women fleeing violence. A natural adjacent peer in the funding and ecosystem layer that supports shelters like A Safe Place.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/asafeplace
• Facebookfacebook.com/ASafePlaceSSS
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/asafeplace-sssltd
• Instagraminstagram.com/asafeplace

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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 A Safe Place