Computers, cash box stolen after break-in at office of Alberta Council of Women’s Shelter

At a time when resources are already stretched thin, the Alberta Council of Women’s Shelters (ACWS) is calling out for community support after their office was broken into over the weekend.

The executive director of ACWS, Jan Reimer, says many valuables were taking including computers, donated items and contents in a cash box.

“We had some taxi chips for people who need rides, we had gift certificates that we provide to shelters and women, those were all taken so just trying to figure out that loss and then go from there,” said Reimer.

As a registered charity, Reimer says a loss like this takes a big toll. While physical items can be replaced, she says its disheartening to experience a setback like this.

“Nevertheless we have to keep on going,” she says. “It’s just so challenging. It’s not just a financial loss, it’s the time to replace everything, the insurance reports that are required, the changes to your banking information. And we were already so busy.

“It’s been a really challenging year for Alberta Council of Women’s Shelters. It’s been a very, very challenging year for our members. We are there to support them so we have more than enough work to do so. Just having this on top felt like a real blow.”

Over the weekend, the ACWS office was broken into. pic.twitter.com/V4K1fNmlc8

— Alberta Council of Women's Shelters (@womenshelter) January 31, 2023

ACWS is the provincial network organization of domestic violence shelters in Alberta. This is an added burden to the charity, which is already facing high demand for shelter space at the more than 50 shelters across the province in which they help serve.

Data released in December 2022 from ACWS show shelters received 65,39 calls seeking support between April 1, 2021 and March 31, 2022. Of those calls, 25,530 were calls requesting admission into a shelter. Many of those callers were turned away – only 16.6 per cent were provided shelter space – due to the shelter being unable to accommodate because of capacity, or due to staffing shortages.

“We have an increasing ever amount of domestic violence and so the demand for services is so great and we are so under-resourced as a sector,” said Reimer. “We have a big backlog, our members are facing great demand for their service. There isn’t enough capacity in the system and on top of that we’ve really seen a lot of staff turnover during the pandemic.”

Reimer says the community support has already been overwhelming: “So from that perspective it’s been very encouraging.”

Those looking to donate can visit the ACWS website.

Damage after a break-in at the office of Alberta Council of Women’s Shelter on Jan. 31, 2023. (Credit: CityNews/Laura Krause)

Damage after a break-in at the office of Alberta Council of Women’s Shelter on Jan. 31, 2023. (Credit: CityNews/Laura Krause)