The Bow Valley region weaves through the Rocky Mountains and includes the communities of Lake Louise, Banff, Canmore, Exshaw, Kananaskis, Lac Des Arcs, and the Îyarhe/Stoney Nakoda Nation. Despite the beautiful surroundings of the mountains and perception of wealth in the area, the Bow Valley is not immune to the social challenges facing other communities across Canada. We continue to grapple with gender-based violence, poverty, mental health, addictions, inadequate housing, discrimination, and inequality.

Centred at our head office in Banff, the YWCA acts as a key social agency for the Bow Valley that works collaboratively with other community agencies to provide prevention programming and direct service delivery to support victims of sexual and domestic violence, abuse, and exploitation. The YWCA is also a leading provider of housing options for people experiencing homelessness and residents who face barriers to finding affordable accommodation in Banff.

We strive to develop made-in-Bow Valley solutions—offering programs that are suitable for local residents, that consider the resources available to us, and that respond to the unique community dynamics associated with one of Canada’s prominent tourism destinations. In response to a growing demand for support from our organization, we are pleased to have added 33 new housing units to our inventory through the opening of Dr. Priscilla Wilson's Place, a NetZero affordable housing building made from recycled shipping containers. YWCA Banff continues to develop our next major capital project, the Higher Ground Project, which will see a new, purpose-built shelter constructed in Canmore. Scroll down to learn about how these innovative projects will enhance our capacity to provide comprehensive supports for Bow Valley residents now and into the future.

Our Vision: A thriving, equitable society

Our Mission: Shaping a safe and inclusive Bow Valley that empowers women and their community for a better future.

What do our vision and mission look like in action?

In the Fiscal Year 2025/26,

• 1,411 clients accessed YWCA Banff Residential & Outreach Programs.
• our staff responded to 1,195 calls on our 24-hour crisis line. Of these calls, 263 callers identified sexual violence, domestic violence, or both as their primary concern. 712 callers identified housing insecurity as their primary concern.
• we provided 3,416 safe nights to 142 unique community members experiencing sexual and/or domestic violence and housing insecurity, through our emergency shelter and transitional housing program.
• we delivered a total of 70 community programs with a total of 2,535  participants. 
  • 46 community training sessions with a total of 1,251 participants 
  • 12 public events with a total of 1,157 participants 
  • 12 Women’s Circle events with a total of 127 participants 
  • Completed Sexual Harassment Policies review with 16 organizations in Banff 

Bow Valley Emergency Shelter: The Bow Valley Emergency Shelter is a safe space for people who are fleeing domestic or sexual violence. We provide clients with confidential supportive counselling, assist with planning for next steps after leaving shelter, and help connect them with relevant referrals and appropriate community services.

“All the staff at the shelter were extremely kind, generous, helpful, understanding, and non-judgemental. It was so wonderful to have a clean, quiet, safe place to heal, but the thing I appreciate the most was having the counsellors to speak to. I learned a lot about relationships, safety, self-love, and lots of great, healthy techniques to get me through the hard times in my life…You truly changed my life for the better, now and for the future.” – Client testimonial, YWCA Banff

Bridge House Transitional Housing Program: The Bridge House Transitional Housing Program offers safe, secure, and affordable housing for individuals and their children seeking a more independent living arrangement after leaving emergency shelter or our outreach program. Bridge House includes ongoing, supportive counselling and intensive case management to assist individuals and families with housing, economic security and appropriate community connections. Bridge House can accommodate up to two families for a period of 12-24 months.

Outreach Counselling: Outreach counselling is offered in the Bow Valley and provides professional support for those who have experienced domestic or sexual violence, abuse, or harassment. We also provide consultations for professionals, family members, and friends who are seeking tools to support someone they know who may be in an abusive or unsafe relationship.

Prevention Program:  The Harmony Project is our coordinated, community response plan to sexualized assault with a focus on prevention. With the Sexual Violence Response Program to help survivors and their support people of sexual assault, harassment, and abuse with emotional support and assistance navigating legal, medical and therapeutic services.

Community Education & Youth Programs: We offer a range of community education programs that promote a violence-free Bow Valley. These accessible programs for youth and adults empower and educate our community on healthy relationships and lifestyles, being an active bystander, and help educate on the spectrum of domestic and sexual violence.

“Such a great free opportunity for local women to connect with ourselves and others in a safe environment. Thank you!”

“Women’s Circle has helped me in so many ways. I couldn’t even imagine. I cannot wait for next time.”

      – Participant testimonials, YWCA Banff Women’s Circle

Affordable Housing: We are a leading provider of temporary and permanent affordable housing in Banff, with over 100 residents living on our site year-round. Our residences provide a secure furnished bedroom, private or shared bathrooms, and shared common facilities such as kitchens and lounges. We offer co-ed residencies, as well as female-only accommodation to meet different needs.

Capital Projects

The Higher Ground Project is our plan to bring a new, purpose-built facility to Canmore with a range of services that address domestic and sexual violence in the Bow Valley. Core programming will include crisis intervention; counselling; second stage shelter; transitional housing; community outreach; training and education programs; and supports and resources for children. Higher Ground will embrace a trauma-informed approach and be designed with the unique needs of our rural context in mind. We have secured land in Canmore and are currently seeking funding and fine-tuning our business and program model.

How can you help? While a donation to support our day-to-day operations is always welcome and appreciated, we are currently looking for investment in our capital projects. We are committed to maximizing the impact of your donation; if you are interested in contributing to specific priorities, we would welcome the opportunity to speak with you about how your investment will support a thriving future for the YWCA Banff.

Please e-mail us at [email protected]

Alternatively, you can click here to make a donation to one of our other areas of support.