Sage Haven Society (Formerly ACAWS)

What Sage Haven Society (Formerly ACAWS) does

Sage Haven Society (formerly ACAWS) is a registered Canadian charity headquartered in Port Alberni, British Columbia, operating continuously since its founding in 1980. The organization is the sole provider of 24/7 emergency transition housing for women and children fleeing intimate partner violence in the Alberni Valley, and in November 2023 materially expanded its service continuum with a 22-unit Second Stage Housing facility for clients transitioning out of emergency shelter. Service lines include the Transition House (emergency shelter), Second Stage Housing, a Drop-In Centre, Stopping the Violence counselling, and the Sexual Assault Response Program (SARP), with formalized outreach partnerships extending service delivery to surrounding First Nations communities.

The operating model is a fee-for-service nonprofit in the social-services sector rather than a technology or product business: there is no proprietary platform, no software product, and no AI/automation layer. Core "products" are physical shelter beds, transitional housing units, in-person counselling sessions, and coordinated crisis response, delivered by a 12-person staff team. Underlying infrastructure is the Second Stage Housing real estate and the round-the-clock staffing model required to maintain emergency coverage.

Revenue is generated through three streams: provincial government grants (BC Housing for shelter and housing subsidies, Island Health for counselling and SARP contracts), individual and corporate donations, and third-party community fundraising events (notably the Coldest Night of the Year walk, which raised CAD 48,907 in 2024). The organization rebranded from ACAWS to Sage Haven Society in 2023 to reposition its survivor-centered brand identity, and continues to participate in national cause-marketing campaigns such as the Shoppers Drug Mart "Giving Shelter" initiative.

Name

Sage Haven Society (Formerly ACAWS)

Legal name

Sage Haven Society

Website

https://sagehavensociety.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1980

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Sage Haven Society (formerly ACAWS) is a Port Alberni, BC registered charity operating the Alberni Valley's only 24/7 emergency transition house and 22-unit second-stage housing for women and children fleeing intimate partner violence, funded by provincial grants and community donations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Domestic Violence Shelter and Support Services

NAICS

Individual and Family Services (6241), Community Housing Services (62422), Other Individual and Family Services (624190)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Domestic Violence & Abuse Support Services (BPAGAEAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Housing Assistance & Homeless Services (BPAGAEAB), Mental Health & Crisis Support Services (BPAGACAD)

Keywords

• Domestic violence shelter
• Transitional housing services
• Victim support services
• Trauma-informed counselling
• Sexual assault response

Headquarters

HQ city

Port Alberni

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: One-time and recurring monetary donations from individuals via e-transfer, CanadaHelps platform, and in-person drop-off. Monthly giving program (March Make it Monthly) with incentive from CanadaHelps.
2. Government Grants and Funding: Core operational funding from BC Housing / Government of British Columbia (Building BC: Women's Transition Housing Fund), Island Health, Ending Violence BC, and the Ministry of Children and Family Development. City of Port Alberni provided land for the 2nd Stage Housing project.
3. Third-Party Fundraising Events: Community-organized events (Coldest Night of the Year, garage sales, paint nights, karaoke, car washes, etc.) where net proceeds are donated to Sage Haven. Sage Haven is listed as beneficiary, not organizer, on all such events.
4. Annual Events Revenue: Coldest Night of the Year walk (2km/5km) is the flagship annual fundraiser, raising approximately $48,907 in 2024 and $42,000+ in 2023. Paint nights, 50/50 raffles, and holiday drives generate additional event-based revenue.
5. Corporate Partnership Campaigns: Partnership campaigns such as the annual Shoppers Foundation for Women's Health 'Giving Shelter' campaign at Port Alberni Shoppers Drug Mart, where a portion of sales and in-store donations support Sage Haven.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels11 records

Core offering

Sage Haven Society operates an integrated portfolio of free, trauma-informed programs for women, children, youth, and gender-diverse individuals in the Alberni Valley of British Columbia. Core services include a 24/7 emergency Transition House, a 22-unit 2nd Stage supported housing program, a community Drop-In Centre, outreach services, community-based victim services, the PEACE children's counselling program, the Sexual Assault Response Program (SARP), and women's supportive counselling (Stopping the Violence).

Product overview

Sage Haven Society operates as a single-organization nonprofit offering an integrated suite of shelter, housing, and support services for women, children, and youth affected by intimate partner violence and gender-based violence in the Alberni Valley. The core service portfolio includes emergency transitional housing (Transition House), supportive 2nd Stage Housing (wiikšaḥiquʔił), a Drop-In Centre, adult and youth outreach, community-based victim services, children's counselling (PEACE Program), a Sexual Assault Response Program (SARP), and women's supportive counselling (Stopping the Violence). These programs are complemented by fundraising initiatives including the annual Coldest Night of the Year walk and a third-party fundraising program.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Port Alberni Transition House 24/7 emergency short-term shelter for women experiencing domestic abuse and their children. Provides confidential, safe, and supportive housing with crisis intervention services at 3082 3rd Ave, Port Alberni.
• 2nd Stage Housing (wiikšaḥiquʔił) 22-unit supportive housing program offering 6-month renewable stays (up to 18 months) for women and children affected by intimate partner violence. Includes crisis intervention, safety planning, financial literacy, and tenancy support services.
• Drop-In Centre Safe, non-judgmental space offering warmth and acceptance for women, youth, and men in the Alberni Valley. Provides resources, support, and community connection. Open 9:00–11:30 a.m. and 12:30–3:30 p.m.
• Adult and Youth Outreach Services Community-based support services providing outreach assistance to adults and youth in the Alberni Valley.
• Community-Based Victim Services Program providing critical incident response, emotional support, referrals, criminal justice information, and safety planning to community members who have experienced intimate violence including sexual assault, domestic violence, stalking, and criminal harassment.
• Children's Supportive Counselling (PEACE Program) Individual and group education and counselling services for children and youth who have experienced violence or trauma. Offers summer groups and ongoing supportive counselling.
• Sexual Assault Response Program (SARP)

Quantifiable outcome

• 22-unit 2nd stage housing completed November 2023 — residents may stay 6 months, renewable up to 18 months, with on-site support including crisis intervention, safety planning, financial literacy, and tenancy resources.
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

Partnerships

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

• Coulson Group of CompaniesflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerLead sponsor of the 2024 Coldest Night of the Year event in Port Alberni. Has served as lead sponsor for multiple consecutive years, providing major event sponsorship and visibility.
• Alberni District Co-opcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerSupporting sponsor of Coldest Night of the Year. Regularly shows commitment to CNOY and Sage Haven Society through annual event sponsorship.
• Port Alberni Port AuthorityminorGTM or Marketing PartnerServed as Rest Stop Sponsor for Coldest Night of the Year 2024, providing a designated rest stop along the walking route.
• Mosaic Forest ManagementminorGTM or Marketing PartnerRoute sponsor for Coldest Night of the Year 2024.
• 99.3 The PEAKminorGTM or Marketing PartnerGoods and services sponsor providing media/communications support for CNOY events.
• AV NewsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMedia sponsor providing news coverage and promotional support for Sage Haven events.
• Salvation ArmycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides warm meals (chilli and hot drinks) to all registered walkers and volunteers at the Coldest Night of the Year event annually. Longstanding community supporter.
• Port Alberni Shoppers Drug MartcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerAnnual 'Giving Shelter' in-store fundraising campaign partner with Shoppers Foundation for Women's Health. Campaign runs September-October with in-store hand card donations, self-checkout prompts, and promotional events. Sage Haven receives 100% of campaign profits.
• Tim HortonsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerProvides hot beverages for Coldest Night of the Year event participants.
• Char's LandingminorGTM or Marketing PartnerVenue sponsor for Coldest Night of the Year 2024, hosting the event kickoff location.
• Royal LePage Port Alberni-Pacific Rim / Royal LePage Shelter FoundationcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerOngoing supporter through paint night fundraisers ($65/ticket events). Royal LePage Shelter Foundation supports Sage Haven through annual partnership.
• Tseshaht First NationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCultural support provided during planning and opening of the 2nd Stage Housing. Elected Chief Councillor Ken Watts and Councillor Jennifer Gallic participated in ribbon cutting. Tseshaht representatives helped ensure cultural presence in the wiiksaahiquuil building.
• Hupacasath First NationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerChief Counsellor Brandy Lauder provided opening remarks at CNOY 2024 and 2nd Stage Housing opening. Health Director attended opening ceremonies. Cultural support embedded in programming on the unceded territories of both nations.
• Island HealthcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealth authority partner providing support for integrated service delivery. Attended 2nd Stage Housing opening and participates as team in CNOY. Supports Sage Haven's wraparound service model for survivors.
• Ending Violence BCcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvincial organization supporting organizations working to end gender-based violence. Listed as a funding and program partner alongside BC Housing and Island Health.
• CanadaHelpscoreTechnology or IntegrationOnline donation processing platform enabling one-time and monthly recurring donations. Partnered with Sage Haven on the March Make it Monthly campaign, contributing a $20 bonus donation for new monthly donors signing up before March 31, 2024.
• West Coast General HospitalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal hospital partner. SARP program bridges services between survivors and forensic nurse teams. Hospital staff participate in CNOY as team walkers.
• Usma Nuu-chah-nulth Family & Child ServicescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFirst Nations child and family services agency. Attended 2nd Stage Housing opening. Part of the integrated service provider network that refers clients to Sage Haven programs.
• Port Alberni Friendship CentrecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndigenous community organization partner. Co-hosts community events (e.g., BBQ) with Sage Haven. Part of integrated referral network for women and families accessing services.
• RCMP / Port Alberni RCMPcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLaw enforcement partner embedded in the integrated service model. SARP program works alongside RCMP to provide advocacy and trauma-informed support to survivors interacting with police.
• Port Alberni Shelter Society (PASS)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal shelter society partner. Attended 2nd Stage Housing opening. Part of the local ecosystem of organizations supporting housing-insecure individuals.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Canadian Women's Foundation: National funder and convener focused on gender-based violence and women's economic empowerment. Sets funding priorities and program standards that directly shape Sage Haven's grant landscape.
• YWCA Metro Vancouver: Larger established operator of women's shelters, transition housing, and childcare across BC. Same mission space but at materially larger scale, offering Sage Haven a comparable operating template for future growth.
• Salvation Army (BC Division): National charitable operator with overlapping social services including shelter, family services, and community outreach. Already a Sage Haven operational partner (CNOY meal provision) and broader peer in fundraising model.

Regional players

• Island Women Against Violence: Nanaimo-based (Vancouver Island) organization delivering sexual assault support, counselling, and victim services. Geographic regional peer with directly comparable program mix to Sage Haven's SARP and Stopping the Violence counselling.

Direct peers

• PEERS Victoria Resource Society: Victoria-based nonprofit providing housing, outreach, and support services to people experiencing homelessness and gender-based violence. Comparable shelter-plus-outreach model with strong municipal-provincial funding mix.
• Atira Women's Resource Society: Lower Mainland-based nonprofit operating transition houses, second-stage housing, and outreach programs for women and children fleeing violence. Highly comparable mission, BC geographic overlap, and similar funding mix (provincial grants + fundraising).
• Elizabeth Fry Society of Greater Vancouver: Provides wraparound support services, housing, and advocacy for women and gender-diverse people affected by violence and the criminal justice system. Comparable service model with court accompaniment and integrated trauma support.
• WAVAW Rape Crisis Centre: Vancouver-based feminist organization delivering sexual assault response, victim services, and counselling — directly mirroring Sage Haven's SARP and Community-Based Victim Services programs.
• Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council: Indigenous governing body on Vancouver Island providing family and child welfare services (including Usma Nuu-chah-nulth Family & Child Services, a Sage Haven partner). Operates comparable Indigenous-embedded social services in the same region.
• BC Society of Transition Houses: Provincial umbrella and capacity-building body for transition houses and second-stage housing programs across BC. Directly comparable service category and operates the provincial member network that Sage Haven belongs to.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/SageHavenPA
• Facebookfacebook.com/SAGEHAVENportalberni
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/sage-haven-society-port-alberni
• Instagraminstagram.com/sage_haven_society

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 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 Sage Haven Society (Formerly ACAWS)