For the first time, 360 imaging grants you exclusive access to the inner workings of a Calgary housing shelter.
Established in 2009 with the support of the Brenda Strafford Foundation, the Children’s Cottage Society’s Brenda’s House serves as a lifeline for many families facing homelessness in the city.
Sara Mikhail, the senior manager of Housing and Homelessness, emphasizes its pivotal role in supporting families during their most vulnerable times.
“Brenda’s House is an emergency family shelter that supports families experiencing homelessness and provides them with the support needed to exit homelessness into safe, stable housing,” Mikhail said.
A home-like haven
One of the defining features of Brenda’s House is its commitment to prioritizing the safety and well-being of families, particularly children, within its shelter environment.
Situated in southwest Calgary, the organization provides an emergency shelter capable of accommodating up to 14 families at a time. The shelter is designed to emulate a warm, home-like environment during challenging times.
“The physical structure of the building allows families to eat together in a dining space, and each family is given a private room and bathroom,” Mikhail said.
Mikhail explained that the shelter’s inclusive criteria for families seeking refuge emphasize low barriers intentionally set to accommodate various family structures, including men with their children — a rarity in the shelter landscape.
Inclusive and proactive support
A cornerstone of Brenda’s House’s approach lies in its proactive stance on transitioning families into safe, affordable and permanent housing.
“We often start before families even come into Brenda’s House,” Mikhail said.
“Families who are calling for support will be given resources and tasks from our prevention and diversion worker.”
The HomeLinks program
Among the array of services offered at the Children’s Cottage Society is the HomeLinks case management program, which provides families with ongoing support to secure housing and build essential social networks and skills.
While Brenda’s House has had many success stories, one stands out in Mikhail’s mind.
“[There was a] single mom of one daughter. Brenda’s House ensured she had ID, parenting support and income so that she could start looking for housing,” Mikhail said.
“HomeLinks helped her find a unit with a social housing provider in Calgary, helped pay for her to move in and supported her financially in the move. This was a great example of the importance of housing first, as having a home of their own really helped stabilize this family’s situation.”
However, while Brenda’s House is committed to helping families in need, the organization needs help with that task.
“We cannot do our work without the support of the public, and we are incredibly grateful to donors and volunteers. Volunteers provide hours of support to us each week that relieve staff to do some heavy lifting,” Mikhail said.
“You can come and mentor youth while parents take a workshop, do some crafts, prepare dinner, serve dinner and do some light admin work. Additionally, you can donate small amounts of money either in monthly payments or through gift cards.”
Community support and advocacy
In order to combat the stigma often associated with homelessness and replace it with a desire to help, Mikhail stresses the importance of “knowing your neighbours’ names [and] knowing that homelessness can happen to anyone.”
As Mikhail stresses the importance of dispelling misconceptions about homelessness, she underscores Brenda’s House’s commitment to providing support and understanding to families in need.
“I suspect a lot of families think we are judging them, [and] their decisions as individuals and parents. I promise you we are not,” Mikhail said.
Mikhail said community outreach efforts, including events and social media campaigns, are integral to fostering understanding and empathy.
In the face of adversity, Mikhail finds hope in the resilience of families served by Brenda’s House.
“Most families remain housed once they find housing,” Mikhail said.
For those interested in supporting Brenda’s House’s mission, detailed information on donation avenues and volunteer opportunities can be found here.