Shelter Movers is a national, volunteer-powered charitable organization providing moving and storage services at no cost to individuals and families fleeing abuse. We collaborate with local businesses and community agencies to support people, primarily women and children, as they transition to a life free of violence.

Gender-Based Violence in Alberta has reached alarming levels, with the Alberta Council of Women’s Shelters (ACWS) reporting nearly 60,000 calls for help last year. This ten-year high highlights the way funding constraints have exacerbated an already complicated issue. Shelters across Alberta have not seen funding increases in nearly a decade, despite a 46% rise in calls for help since 2015. Many shelters are operating with only 75% of their necessary funding, leading to program cuts and reduced capacity. Last year, 81% of requests for shelter were unmet due to lack of space, and 8,020 children were turned away—a 48% increase from the previous year.

The housing crisis significantly compounds the challenges survivors face when considering whether or not to leave their abusive situations. With rent in Calgary skyrocketing 40% since 2021, and Edmonton seeing a 3.7% increase in just the last year, many survivors find themselves unable to leave abusive situations due to lack of affordable housing. Gaye Warthe, ACWS board president, emphasizes that the shortage of shelter space, combined with a fluctuating job market, often forces survivors to remain with their abusers.

At its core, Shelter Movers is an extraordinary force that directly meets the needs of survivors of gender-based violence head-on. The organization’s distinctive approach, providing moving and storage services to individuals and families escaping abuse, resonates with profound impact. Shelter Movers emerges as a pillar of empowerment and support for survivors, accomplishing the following with the generous support of funding partners:

Physical and Emotional Support: Funding enables Shelter Movers to furnish survivors with both practical assistance, through safe and efficient moving services, and emotional support, as compassionate volunteers stand by survivors during the pivotal moving process.

Safety and Dignity: The organization’s discreet and secure moving services, backed by funding, guarantee survivors the freedom to relocate without fear of being tracked or harmed by their abusers.

Financial Relief: Survivor’s journeys to safety are rendered less daunting by the funding-backed provision of free moving and storage services, alleviating financial strains and allowing resources to be allocated elsewhere.

Empowerment and Independence: Shelter Movers facilitate survivors’ escape from perilous situations, empowering them to reclaim control over their lives and fostering confidence and self-determination.

Volunteer Engagement, Training, and Education: Funding advances volunteer training in trauma-informed practices, crisis intervention, and gender-based violence dynamics, ensuring survivors are aided by empathetic and well-informed volunteers. As a volunteer-powered organization, it also helps to reduce the costs of providing these critical services.

Collaboration and Community Building: Shelter Movers’ extensive network spans women’s shelters, police services, storage and moving services, language interpreters, pet fostering, senior services, immigrant and refugee services, LGBTQ+, Indigenous, and beyond, weaving a safety net that envelops survivors, fostering collaboration, community, and healing.

“I was lost and alone. Having my things gave me comfort at a time when I needed it most. I am forever grateful for the people at Shelter Movers who helped me put my back together.” – Harshita, Survivor

Shelter Movers largely depends on the generosity of individuals and businesses to fund our various operations, including volunteer training, vehicle and storage rentals and translation services. We offer our supporters unique opportunities to align with our mission and vision. Shelter Movers works with our partners to serve clients by providing the only service of this kind in Canada. In addition to financial gifts, corporate partners provide valuable in-kind resources needed to help families in crisis.

“Many people say it’s just stuff and I should be happy to get out alive, but knowing I don’t have to start all over again is a huge financial burden lifted from me. And knowing that I have my items that I could never replace like baby photos, and my grandmother’s jewelry means so much to me. I can’t thank Shelter Movers enough for giving me back this piece of my life I thought was gone for good” – MJ, Survivor