What Safe Haven Foundation does

Safe Haven Foundation of Canada is a Calgary-based registered charity founded in 1996 by Karen and John Sherbut to serve homeless and at-risk girls and young women ages 14–24. Its core operating model is transitional housing implemented under the Foyer Model, which the organization describes as the first of its kind in Canada. Service delivery centers on three interconnected programs: Haven's Way (long-term supportive housing with an average 2.5-year stay, live-in support coaches, peer mentors, and wraparound education, mental health, and life-skills services), Haven's Harbour (affordable housing with supports for post-secondary students, fully occupied since early 2023, contributing 3,285 bed nights per year and a 150% capacity expansion), and Haven's Rise (a March 2026 homeownership-pipeline initiative in partnership with Dolce Real Estate for young women without traditional family financial support). Supplementary programs include a Therapeutic Recreation Program, an Educational Bursary Program ($20,000/year for post-secondary support), and a developing Alumni Program. Haven's Angels operates as a separate nonprofit volunteer society.

The organization is funded entirely through charitable contributions with no products or services sold. Revenue streams include individual donations (with a monthly giving program and up to 50% matching via Rogers Birdies for Kids presented by AltaLink), corporate sponsorships and partnerships (15+ recurring partners including Calgary Foundation, TELUS, Shaw, PCL Construction, and Nickle Family Foundation), signature event fundraising (Pearls & Tides Gala, Pearls & Prosecco Rooftop White Party, Supper for Safe Haven), third-party hosted events (IRIS Foundation Charity of Choice for 2025), and endowment funds. The disclosed annual fundraising campaign target is CAD $2,450,755 with an estimated $150,000 cost to raise. The organization is governed by a Board chaired by Maria Paquet (Shell Canada HRVP) following the 2026 transition from founder-led to founder-inspired governance; CEO Krystyna Lloyd leads a small named leadership team of six including program, operations, community engagement, and live-in support roles. No proprietary technology platform is in use; the charity operates as a traditional community-based social services provider with event-driven fundraising and a Calgary-only operating geography.

Name

Safe Haven Foundation

Legal name

Safe Haven Foundation of Canada

Website

https://safehavenfoundation.ca

Company type

Private

Founded year

1996

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Safe Haven Foundation of Canada is a Calgary-based registered charity providing transitional housing, post-secondary housing, and a homeownership pathway for homeless and at-risk girls and young women ages 14–24, funded through donations, corporate sponsorships, and signature fundraising events.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Youth Transitional Housing Services

NAICS

Community Housing Services (62422), Child and Youth Services (62411), Temporary Shelters (624221)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Homelessness Prevention, Shelter & Supportive Housing Services (BPAIANAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Housing Assistance & Homeless Services (BPAGAEAB), Affordable Housing & Community Development (Housing, Community Land Trusts) (BPAGALAC), Homeless, Foster Care & Highly Mobile Youth Education Services (EDAJAEAG), Youth Housing, Foster Care & Wraparound Support (Education-Linked) Nonprofits (BPAGADAO)

Keywords

• Youth transitional housing
• Homeless shelter services
• Nonprofit charity services
• Post-secondary bursaries
• Community social support

Headquarters

HQ city

Calgary

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: Tax-deductible donations from individuals supporting the mission. Monthly giving program available. Donations matched up to 50% through Rogers Birdies for Kids presented by AltaLink.
2. Special Events Revenue: Revenue from signature events including Pearls & Tides Gala, Pearls & Prosecco Rooftop White Party, Supper for Safe Haven, and third-party hosted events. Events serve triple purpose: fundraising, awareness, and donor acquisition.
3. Corporate Sponsorships and Partnerships: Corporate partners provide financial and in-kind support. Sponsorship packages for events range from $5,000 Bronze to $25,000 Title sponsorship level. Business Partner Network encourages employment opportunities for youth.
4. Therapeutic Recreation Program: Program provides funding for recreational activities for youth in the program. Youth are eligible when working towards educational goals and maintaining positive home environment. Now expanded to include alumni.
5. Educational Bursary Program: $20,000 per year earmarked for post-secondary education support for Haven's Way and Haven's Harbour residents and alumni. Established in 2008.
6. Endowment Fund: Donors can establish endowment funds for long-term giving and legacy planning.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Safe Haven Foundation of Canada provides long-term transitional housing and wraparound support services for homeless and at-risk girls and young women ages 14-24 in Calgary. Its core programs include Haven's Way (live-in supportive housing), Haven's Harbour (affordable housing with supports for youth pursuing post-secondary education), and Haven's Rise (homeownership pathway), complemented by Therapeutic Recreation, Educational Bursary, and Alumni programs.

Product overview

Safe Haven Foundation operates a portfolio of interconnected housing and support programs for homeless and at-risk girls and young women in Calgary. The core offering consists of Haven's Way™ (transitional housing for ages 14-24), Haven's Harbour (affordable post-secondary housing with supports), and Haven's Rise (homeownership pathway program). These are supplemented by Therapeutic Recreation, Educational Bursary, and Alumni programs that provide wraparound support services. Haven's Angels serves as the volunteer and fundraising arm of the organization.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Haven's Way®: The founding program that provides each girl with the opportunity to spend quality one-on-one time with their live-in supports, allowing them to build trusting, healthy relationships while providing the stability and structure so desperately needed to thrive. Duplicates a healthy, loving and supportive family environment for homeless and at-risk girls between the ages of 14 and 24.
• Haven's Harbour
• Haven's Rise
• Haven's Angels

Products and services

• Haven's Way Founding transitional housing program that provides homeless and at-risk girls ages 14-24 with a safe, nurturing home environment where they can complete their education, pursue their dreams, and gain skills to be self-sufficient. Implements the Foyer Model of transitional housing with live-in supports, education, healthcare, counseling, and life skills programming.
• Haven's Harbour Affordable housing with supports for youth graduating from Haven's Way and like-minded programs who are pursuing post-secondary education while learning to live independently. Includes a Community Hub for community building, financial literacy, and mentoring opportunities. Provides 3,285 bed nights per year.
• Haven's Rise Homeownership initiative designed to help young women without traditional family financial support break the rental cycle and move toward home ownership. Combines financial education, coordinated down payment support through partnership with Dolce Real Estate, and professional guidance.
• Therapeutic Recreation Program Program that removes barriers preventing girls from achieving optimal health and quality of life by providing funding for recreational activities, personal identity development, self-discovery, and confidence building. Youth are eligible when working toward educational goals and maintaining a positive home environment. Now expanded to include alumni.
• Educational Bursary Program Program that earmarks $20,000 per year to assist Haven's Way and Haven's Harbour youth and alumni with costs of post-secondary education, setting them up for lifetime self-sufficiency.

Quantifiable outcome

• Zero youth returning to homelessness from Haven's Way program
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Dolce Real EstatecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 5 March 2026Partnership to create Haven's Rise, a first-of-its-kind homeownership initiative for young women without traditional family financial support. Dolce Real Estate contributes a portion of every home sale to a dedicated Down Payment Fund for qualified participants. This addresses the structural barrier preventing young women who have experienced family breakdown from accessing homeownership.
• IRIS FoundationcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 28 January 2025Safe Haven Foundation selected as 2025 Charity of Choice by IRIS Foundation. IRIS's signature fundraising event on April 25, 2025 transforms venue into 1920s Tinseltown experience to raise funds. Last year IRIS raised over $130,000 for their chosen charity.
• Daughter CreativecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCreative agency that developed Safe Haven Foundation's logos and branding. Created original logo and brochures in 1999 and redesigned logos in 2017. Currently working on 25th/30th anniversary campaign pro-bono. Keli Pollock, Executive Creative Director, serves on Board of Directors.
• RedPoint Media GroupminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMedia sponsor for Pearls & Prosecco 2026 event, providing marketing and media exposure.
• Noto GelatominorGTM or Marketing PartnerIn-kind sponsor for Pearls & Prosecco 2026 event.
• Haven's AngelscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSeparate non-profit society that serves as the volunteer and ambassador arm of Safe Haven Foundation. Comprised of donors, staff, and volunteers who initiate fundraising events and provide personal growth opportunities. Values include recognition, respect, personal growth, commitment and caring, and making high-impact difference.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Boys & Girls Clubs of Calgary: Calgary-based youth services organization providing housing, life skills, and educational support for at-risk youth. Comparable as a same-city youth-focused nonprofit serving vulnerable populations.
• Covenant House Toronto: Canada's largest youth homelessness agency serving youth aged 16-24 with shelter, housing, and wraparound services. Directly comparable to Safe Haven's transitional housing model and target demographic, though operating at national scale and serving all genders.
• The Mustard Seed (Calgary): Major Calgary-based nonprofit providing emergency shelter, supportive housing, and meal programs for people experiencing homelessness. Comparable in geographic market, charitable funding model, and service population.
• Inn from the Cold (Calgary): Calgary family shelter and housing organization providing emergency shelter and supportive housing for families and youth. Comparable in mission (homelessness prevention), geography, and nonprofit operating model.
• Wood's Homes (Calgary): Calgary-based children's mental health and youth housing organization. Comparable as a same-city nonprofit providing residential programs and mental health supports for at-risk youth.
• Eva's Initiatives for Homeless Youth (Toronto): Toronto-based nonprofit providing transitional housing, shelter, and support services specifically for homeless and at-risk youth aged 16-24. Directly comparable as a Canadian youth transitional housing nonprofit using a long-term supportive housing model similar to Safe Haven's Foyer approach.
• YWCA Calgary: Calgary-based nonprofit providing affordable housing, shelter, and support services specifically for women and youth. Directly comparable as a same-city, women-focused transitional housing and homelessness service provider.
• The Alex Community Health & Housing Centre: Calgary-based nonprofit providing integrated health, housing, and social services for vulnerable populations. Comparable as a same-city social services nonprofit with transitional housing components.

Others

• Calgary Homeless Foundation: Calgary's central homelessness planning and funding body. Comparable as a sector intermediary that funds Safe Haven's Haven's Harbour and shapes the local homelessness services ecosystem.

Regional players

• Homeward Trust Edmonton: Edmonton-based homelessness planning and funding organization operating in Alberta. Comparable as a regional homelessness funder and service system coordinator, though operating in a different metro area.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/SafeHavenCanada
• Facebookfacebook.com/SafeHavenFoundationCanada
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-safe-haven-foundation-of-canada

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles14 records

Subsidiaries1 record

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 Safe Haven Foundation