News Archives – Medicine Hat Women's Shelter Society

This Month’s Most Needed Items – April 2026

Jennifer Ottenbreit — Wed, 01 Apr 2026 14:00:54 +0000

April 2026

Our Most Needed Items:

Currently, there are several critical items that we urgently need to ensure that our shelter runs smoothly and our residents feel secure and cared for. Your donations, no matter how small, can go a long way in helping us achieve our mission.

You can also support us through purchasing items from our Amazon Wish List!

Kid’s Lunch Items (Fruitcups, Granola Bars, Bearpaws)
Napkins
Iced Tea Mix
New/Gently Used Double Sized Bed Sheets
Pipe Cleaners
Tinfoil Lasagna Pans

Please consider donating used items we are unable to accept to the Salvation Army or DYL Fashions. They help make sure our clients get the things they need!

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This Month’s Most Needed Items – March 2026

Jennifer Ottenbreit — Sun, 01 Mar 2026 15:00:25 +0000

March 2026

Our Most Needed Items:

You can also support us through purchasing items from our Amazon Wish List!

Kid’s Lunch Items
Napkins
Iced Tea Mix
Disposable to-go cup with lids
New Reusable Water Bottles
Glue Sticks
Adult Sized Scissors

Please consider donating used items we are unable to accept to the Salvation Army or DYL Fashions. They help make sure our clients get the things they need!

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Support the Medicine Hat Women’s Shelter Society this Christmas with Our Amazon Wish List

admin — Wed, 27 Nov 2024 18:52:04 +0000

Make a Difference this Christmas

Support the Medicine Hat Women’s Shelter Society with Our Amazon Wish List

The holiday season is a time for giving, and what better way to spread joy and warmth than by supporting those who need it most? This Christmas, the Medicine Hat Women’s Shelter Society is inviting you to give back by donating to our Amazon Wish List, filled with essential items that will make a world of difference to the women and children in our care.

Why We Need Your Help:

Every year, our shelter provides a safe haven for women and children escaping domestic violence and other difficult circumstances. While we strive to offer a sense of comfort and normalcy, the reality is that many of our residents are without the resources or family support they need to experience a joyful holiday season.

This is where you come in. By contributing to our Amazon Wish List, you’re directly helping provide essential items that will not only meet the immediate needs of the women and children at our shelter but also offer them a sense of dignity and hope. Whether it’s a warm winter coat, a toy for a child, or personal hygiene items, your donation will make a lasting impact.

What’s on the Amazon Wish List?

The list includes a variety of items that our shelter residents need most this holiday season. From everyday essentials like hygiene products and cleaning supplies to gifts that will bring joy to children, every item has been carefully chosen to meet the specific needs of the families we serve.

Here are just a few examples of what you can contribute:

Children’s Toys & Games: Brighten a child’s Christmas with a fun, educational toy.
Clothing & Winter Gear: Ensure that everyone stays warm this winter with cozy coats, scarves, and mittens.
Personal Care & Hygiene Products: Donate toiletries that will help residents maintain their personal dignity.
Household Essentials: Help restock our shelter with the basics like bedding, towels, and kitchen supplies.

How Does It Work?

It’s easy to get involved! Our Amazon Wish List is designed to make your donation experience as simple as possible. Just browse the list, pick the items you’d like to donate, and Amazon will send them directly to our shelter. You can even choose the items that resonate most with you, knowing that every gift will make a huge difference in someone’s life.

Give the Gift of Hope this Christmas

The holidays are a time for community, compassion, and connection. This year, let’s come together to offer support and kindness to those who need it most. Every donation, no matter how big or small, helps make this season a little brighter for the families who rely on our services.

Thank you for your generosity and for helping make Christmas a little brighter for those who need it most.

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Facility & Services Updates

Jennifer Ottenbreit — Wed, 21 Feb 2024 15:22:24 +0000

February 21st, 2024

Our emergency shelter and administration services have temporarily moved while we under construction.

24/7 Support and Shelter is still available by calling 403-529-1091 or texting 587-850-5885, or through our web chat at mhwss.ca

DONATIONS: Due to renovations currently underway, we are limited for storage space and can only accept items on our needs list. Please consider donating used items we are unable to accept to the Salvation Army. They help make sure our clients get the things they need! Donation enquiries call 403-527-8223 Monday to Friday 9am-4:30pm, email deidreg@mhwss.ca, or message us on social media.

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MHWSS Text Line & Web Chat Support Services now available 24/7

Jennifer Ottenbreit — Tue, 01 Nov 2022 14:00:10 +0000

MHWSS Text Line & Web Chat support now available 24/7

November 1st, 2022 – The Medicine Hat Women’s Shelter Society is expanding its text and web chat services to be available 24/7 with the start of Family Violence Prevention Month this November.

“This is an exciting step forward in making our services and supports more accessible for those experiencing family violence in
our community,” said Natasha Carvalho, MHWSS executive director. “We know a phone call isn’t always safe or possible – but texting or connecting through web chat might be. It’s all about reducing barriers.”

Since launching the text line and web chat with daytime hours in June, people have been connecting on a daily basis with MHWSS through these services.

“We’ve seen a positive impact, including people saying they feel more comfortable reaching out to us this way when they may not have otherwise,” said Carvalho. “Our hope is that by expanding the text line and web chat hours to 24/7 availability, even more people will reach out.”

Now as of November 1st, people can text 587-850-5885 or visit mhwss.ca to connect with a frontline crisis intervention worker at any time, day or night. This is alongside MHWSS’s longstanding 24/7 help line which is available by phoning 403-529-1091 or toll free at 1-800-661-7949.

The expansion of text line and web chat services comes with the start of Family Violence Prevention Month. There are a number of community events taking place throughout Medicine hat to mark the month. For a full list, visit: www.mhwss.ca/2022fvpm/

Statistics & Background Information:

MHWSS provided programming and support services to 1,121 adults and 343 children during the 2021-22 year, and received 1,537 crisis calls.
5,602 women, children and seniors were admitted to emergency shelters across the province in the 2020-21 year, while shelters received 52,300 calls from people seeking support. (Alberta Council of Women’s Shelters 2021 Data Release)
Police-reported family violence has increased for the fifth consecutive year in Canada, according to the most recent data released by Statistics Canada.

About The Medicine Hat Women’s Shelter Society:

The Medicine Hat Women’s Shelter Society supports individuals impacted by family violence by providing them with safe shelter, education, advocacy and access to community resources. We are committed to social change by providing programs and services that promote treating all people with respect and dignity.

For more information, contact:

Natasha Carvalho, Executive Director

Medicine Hat Women’s Shelter Society

natashac@mhwss.ca

403-527-8223

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Bread & Roses – International Women’s Day

admin — Mon, 08 Mar 2021 15:33:17 +0000

An enormous thank you to all the women in our community who joined together and helped us make this video for International Women’s Day!

Bread and Roses

As we come marching, marching, in the beauty of the day,

A million darkened kitchens, a thousand mill-lofts gray

Are touched with all the radiance that a sudden sun discloses,

For the people hear us singing, “Bread and Roses, Bread and Roses.”

As we come marching, marching, we battle, too, for men—

For they are women’s children and we mother them again.

Our days shall not be sweated from birth until life closes—

Hearts starve as well as bodies: Give us Bread, but give us Roses.

As we come marching, marching, unnumbered women dead

Go crying through our singing their ancient song of Bread;

Small art and love and beauty their trudging spirits knew—

Yes, it is Bread we fight for—but we fight for Roses, too.

As we come marching, marching, we bring the Greater Days—

The rising of the women means the rising of the race.

No more the drudge and idler—ten that toil where one reposes—

But a sharing of life’s glories: Bread and Roses, Bread and Roses.

— James Oppenheim, 1911

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Celebrating International Women’s Day in Alberta

admin — Sun, 08 Mar 2020 13:00:23 +0000

Celebrate women in Medicine Hat and Alberta who fought for equality and change – Download our International Women’s Day Poster Here:

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Growing Hope in our Community

admin — Wed, 26 Jun 2019 15:35:36 +0000

In Spring 2019, the Medicine Hat Women’s Shelter Society commissioned a mural that went up along the side of Station Coffee Co., downtown on Second Street. When we think of what we do, the word “hope” comes up again and again. We give hope to families that a life free of abuse and violence is possible. Ending family violence in our community isn’t something that will happen overnight. But with vision, hard work, and time – just like a garden – it’s something we can achieve together. We hope this mural is a call to action for the community, so people are reminded of all the ways they can grow hope for a better tomorrow.

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Boys Will Be Boys

admin — Wed, 12 Dec 2018 15:37:19 +0000

A PSA about the importance of speaking up early and in every situation before seemingly harmless behaviors grow into potentially abusive mindsets and actions. Made possible by the Community Foundation of South Eastern Alberta.

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Medicine Hat Women’s Shelter Society Hope Campaign

admin — Fri, 25 Sep 2015 15:38:24 +0000

“We as an organization can bring hope and courage and strength to families in our community.” In a one month period over 100 families in Medicine Hat are affected by family violence and in one year MHWSS will provide services to over 1,200 women, men and children. Every day Medicine Hat Women’s Shelter Society reaches out to families to provide hope and courage to change their lives. Family violence is a serious problem and you can make a difference by speaking up against violence. If you need help or know someone that needs help please contact us.

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