A Safe Place
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.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1982
- HeadquartersSherwood Park, Canada
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
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.
A Safe Place firmographics
Firmographics- 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
A Safe Place industry classification
Industry- 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
Where A Safe Place is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Sherwood Park
- HQ country
- Canada
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
A Safe Place business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others
Revenue model
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Others | Free emergency shelter services for women and children |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels6 records
A Safe Place product offering
Product offeringCore 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
Companies that use A Safe Place
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments1 record
Ideal customer profiles1 record
A Safe Place technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature2 records
A Safe Place partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Ten partnerships are on record, tiered minor, flagship and core.
- Canada World YouthminorInternational youth exchange organization that has partnered to support the organization and its programs.
- AeconflagshipCorporate 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 MallflagshipProud partner hosting the annual Tree of Hope campaign for over 20 years. Provides in-mall location for holiday fundraising campaign.
- Northern Bear Golf CourseminorGolf course venue in Strathcona County hosting the annual Golf Tournament fundraiser.
- Global News EdmontonminorMedia partner for Give Me Shelter Campaign, providing live interviews and coverage to raise awareness and funds for domestic violence support.
- Greenland Garden CentreminorEvent partner hosting annual Spring Fashion Show fundraiser since 2010, featuring designers and raising funds for shelter programs.
- SAFFRON CentrecoreSister 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)coreProvincial 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)minorProvincial coalition working to end violence against women. A Safe Place membership supports collaborative efforts and knowledge sharing.
- Women Shelter CanadaminorNational organization advocating for women's shelters. Membership supports national advocacy and resource sharing.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
A Safe Place competitors and assessment
Company assessmentRegional 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
A Safe Place social profiles
Digital presenceA Safe Place financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
A Safe Place leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles10 records
A Safe Place funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
A Safe Place M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about A Safe Place
What does A Safe Place do?
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.
Is A Safe Place a public or private company?
A Safe Place is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was A Safe Place founded?
A Safe Place was founded in 1982. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is A Safe Place based?
A Safe Place is headquartered in Sherwood Park, Canada, in the North America region.
How does A Safe Place make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Government Grants and Core Funding is the primary driver. The others are donations and Fundraising and corporate Sponsorship.
Who are A Safe Place's main competitors?
Regional players on record are Vancouver Rape Relief and Women's Shelter and Calgary Women's Emergency Shelter. Broad incumbents are Women Shelters Canada, YWCA Canada, Alberta Council of Women's Shelters (ACWS) and Centre to End All Violence (CIAFV). Direct peers are Interval House (Toronto), WIN House (Edmonton) and SAFFRON Centre. Canadian Women's Foundation is listed as an others.
Does A Safe Place have an API?
No public API is recorded for A Safe Place.
What industry is A Safe Place in?
A Safe Place's product category is Domestic Violence Support Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGAEAD, Domestic Violence & Abuse Support Services, with a secondary code of BPAGAEAB, Housing Assistance & Homeless Services. Its NAICS code is 62422 and its SIC code is 8300.