For over 40 years, Sonshine Community Services has been providing a variety of supports – including housing, counselling and childcare – to women and children who are fleeing family violence in the Calgary area.

One of Sonshine’s crucial social service offerings is the Sonshine Centre, a 24-unit residential shelter that houses “women with and without children who are at a high risk for serious injury or fatality” stemming from family violence or abuse.

Clients at the shelter go through an 18-month program that helps them navigate “the practical and emotional complexities of leaving an abusive home” and safely transition back into the community.

“Providing safe and supported residential shelter to women and children fleeing domestic abuse is paramount to the health of our community,” said Monica Ercolessi, director of resource development with Sonshine Community Services.

The Sonshine Centre was purchased and refurbished in 2005. Now, more than 15 years later, the building requires renovations to remain a safe place for women and children in need, including major upgrades to its electrical system.

Late last year, CREB^® REALTOR^® Community Foundation announced Sonshine Community Services was one of its 2021 Transformation Grant recipients, providing $10,000 to support the Sonshine Centre upgrades.

“The Legacy Grant Sonshine received from CREB^® allows us to continue operating at capacity and safely, empowering us to diagnose and upgrade the electrical system before issues and possible disruptions of service arise,” said Ercolessi.

“Support for this kind of project is not easy to find. CREB^® understands the importance of housing quality for the most vulnerable, and for that we are very grateful.”

Our Housing Heroes series features recent CREB^® REALTOR^® Community Foundation grant recipients – local non-profit organizations that are creating new housing options, keeping people housed and improving housing quality in the Calgary community.