History

Since 1980, Discovery House Family Violence Prevention Society has been providing shelter, hope and education to families affected by family violence. Over the years programs and services have evolved to ensure we are meeting the needs of each client, woman and child.

2011: IN THE COMMUNITY
The Community Housing program is fully integrated into Discovery House with the goal of expanding services to more families and adding child and youth services for all children within two years. The Residential program service model has changed. Clients are now served by one case manager supporting the family from the time they enter the shelter to transitioning back to the community. The 2008-2012 Strategic Plan has been reviewed and updated.

2010: 30 YEARS...
Thirty years later Discovery House continues to provide a safe, secure residence and top quality programs and services for women and children fleeing violence. Our shelter is the most secure in Alberta, our programs and services are unique, staff expertise is extensive, and our outcomes are positive and encouraging. With the help of our community, we are making a difference in the lives of many in our community.

2009: MORE GROWTH AND CHANGE
The HOUSING FIRST PILOT PROJECT began in January, 2009. Using the “Housing First model, and working with Cups Rapid Exit to provide housing, Discovery House staff provides counselling and support services for women and children fleeing violence who live in the community. The pilot project proved very successful, with over 80 families involved the first year, and is now an integrated program at Discovery House.

Discovery House’s new logo – a teardrop, house and heart, represents the transition that occurs from families from a life of violence to one of safety and happiness. It is the transition from sorrow to joy, fear to strength, poverty to security, and from isolation to belonging.

2008: SERVICE DELIVERY GROWTH
A five-year strategic plan (2008-2012) was developed based on three themes: Leadership, Quality, and Sustainability. It includes an ambitious goal to double the client capacity of Discovery House in five years.

2007: INDIVIDUALIZED CLIENT SERVICES
Knowing that each client has their own story, unique set of cirumstances, and varying needs, the focus on individualized, wrap around services became priority. Discovery House provides individualized services to each adult and child client based on their assessed needs. Approximately 160 residential clients per year are served.

2005: VICTORIOUS 25 YEARS
Discovery House has been operating for 25 years and a celebration was held in May to commemorate this milestone. Discovery House is dedicated to continue to provide the necessary programs and services to help families learn to be healthy, safe, and free from the effects of family violence.

2004: OPENING OF THE NEW FACILITY
Construction of the new facility is complete and the final move is made. The shelter can now accommodate 19 families. Much work is done to organize the apartments, including picking up numerous donations of furniture from the community at large. Everything is ready for the first residents in mid-February 2004.

The Grand Opening is held on April 22, 2004. This marks the beginning of operational changes: focusing on clients with high safety needs, developing new shelter guidelines, and planning program expansion. Final touches to the facility are made when the landscaping is completed in June, 2004.

2003: NEW CHALLENGES
Excavation for the new shelter begins in early 2003, with an expected completion date of December 2003. There will be a 60 per cent increase in the number of apartments available. In addition, 200 more families will receive care and support from expanded community based services.
However, in the fall of 2003, the original shelter had to be vacated before the new facility was complete. Thanks to the Calgary Health Region, finding a temporary location was a challenge successfully met. The move to the temporary location was only one of a total of five moves that were made between July and February 2004.

2001 - 2002: FAMILIES BUILDING FUTURES CAMPAIGN
The Society changes its name to Discovery House Family Violence Prevention Society. Discovery House embarks on a capital campaign to raise $6.5 Million to build a new facility and expand services. Significant funds were received through Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation, the Homelessness Foundation, Human Resources Development Canada, and an anonymous donor. The location is identified and arrangements for a land exchange with the City of Calgary are finalized in May 2002. The groundbreaking ceremony was held on November 7, 2002.

1999: A NEW NAME AND A PLAN FOR A NEW BUILDING
A name change to "The Calgary Centre for Prevention of Family Violence" is adopted to reflect the nature of the Centre's overall goals. Discovery House remains the branding name for the organization.

The agency now has several programs in addition to the original shelter. Discovery House shelter has a waiting list that averages 30 women and 60 children. Of the 14 apartments in the shelter, four function as offices to house program staff due to a lack of counselling space. Five other staff members are housed in a different location from Discovery House.

Planning begins for a new facility with an increased shelter capacity of 60 per cent and adequate space to house all programs.

1998: THE GENERATIONS PROGRAM BEGINS
There is growing recognition that a large number of individuals remain with partners perpetrating abuse. This indicates the need for services geared to assist those who are abusive in intimate relationships. Counselling services are provided through The Generations Program.

1995 - 1999: FUNDRAISING STRATEGIES DEVELOPED
A fundraising and marketing strategic plan is developed in 1998.

1994: THE COMMUNITY BASED PROGRAM EXPANDS
The Community Based Program expands in size to better meet the needs of families in the community.

1989: THE CHILD & YOUTH PROGRAM EXPANDS
There is increasing awareness of the potential for long-term consequences to children who experience or witness violence in their families. The program offers individual and group counselling for the children of parents receiving services from Discovery House. Summer and after-school recreational programs are developed.

1987: COMMUNITY BASED PROGRAM BEGINS
Discovery House responds to increased need for community-based support. Individual and group counselling are offered to those who have experienced abuse from a current or previous partner.

1986: VOLUNTEER PROGRAM EXPANDS
Volunteers are trained to assist professional staff in their work with women and children using shelter services, and to carry out fundraising and public awareness functions.

1984: DISCOVERY HOUSE MOVES
Discovery House doubles the number of residents it can accommodate by relocating to a facility with 14 furnished apartments. This facility has a security system, a common room for socializing, and increased office space for an expanding program staff.

1981: NEW START VOLUNTEER PROGRAM BEGINS
Shelter staff become increasingly aware of the need for social support among shelter residents. A volunteer develops and implements the New Start Volunteer program, pairing lay helpers with shelter residents. These partnerships help break the social isolation common among abused women and their children.

1980: DISCOVERY HOUSE OPENS
Community members recognize that many abused women and their children need long-term shelter to cope with the consequences of domestic violence. The Calgary Family Support Society opens Discovery House - the first long-term shelter for abused women in Calgary and one of the first of its kind in Canada. Women in immediate danger from their partner can receive up to six months accommodation. Women bring their children with them to the shelter. The facility is an old apartment building with seven furnished suites.