Finding Your True North
Safe, Affordable Housing for Survivors of Violence
Leaving violence takes incredible courage, but taking that brave first step shouldn’t mean stepping into homelessness, fear, and instability.
At True North, we believe that when someone finds the strength to leave abuse behind, they deserve more than shelter.
Survivors deserve a place to begin again.
A place where safety is lasting, dignity is honoured, and hope can take root.
That’s why we’re building Finding Your True North: a 36-unit affordable housing community that is designed specifically for survivors of violence in Strathmore and surrounding rural communities.
About the Project
Finding Your True North is an innovative approach to reduce domestic violence in our community shaped by the voices of those we serve, built on decades of frontline experience, and rooted in the values, hard work, and care for our community.
The Finding Your True North project offers survivors a full continuum of care: increasing our prevention efforts, bolstering our intervention & safety in the now, and creating greater long-term stability helping survivors to heal, rebuild, and live independently.
Finding Your True North
Access to safe, affordable housing remains the single greatest barrier to survivor of violence transitioning out of Emergency Shelter. Survivors in rural communities face even more barriers. Physical isolation, lack of transportation, fewer employment opportunities, potential childcare costs and legal fees, in addition to an affordable housing crisis, means many survivors leaving emergency shelter feel forced to choose between returning to a dangerous environment or risking houselessness.
Targeting Housing Insecurity
That’s where Finding Your True North steps in. True North’s affordable housing solution will play a vital role in addressing the intersectional challenges of intimate partner violence & homelessness. Our targeting housing insecurity initiative helps to meets the needs of vulnerable community members by offering second-stage housing for individuals in crisis, specifically for individuals attempting to rebuild after leaving an abusive and dangerous home. By empowering vulnerable individuals with safety, access to wrap-around services, and basic needs support, survivors are supported to lead safe and healthy lives independent of abuse.
An Innovative Approach
Our second-stage & affordable housing initiative is an innovative approach to supporting survivors of violence along their journey towards independence. Helping to break the cycle of abuse within families, mitigate the effects of Adverse Childhood Experiences, create a community of safety & healthy relationships, and develop resiliency within vulnerable children and families so that they may thrive reaches our mission of walking the path with those in crisis: honoring the past, providing support in the present, and awakening hope for the future.
Wraparound care that grows and develops with survivors transforms outcomes, not only in housing, but also in employment, parenting, and long-term well being.
Safe housing allows children to grow in healthy households, helping to break the cycle of violence, thereby reducing, mitigating, and preventing the effects of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs).
Culturally grounded programs create trust, empathy, and belonging.
Skilled-based programs support independence, confidence, and resiliency.
Caregiver support: on-site counselling, parenting programs, and childcare access builds caregiver independence and lowers household stress.
A community of care & understanding fosters belonging and breaks harmful stigmas.
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Affordable Housing Matters
Violence is rising, and safe, affordable housing is harder to find than ever.
Rural survivors face extra barriers like isolation, limited services, and longer wait times.
Without housing, survivors are forced to choose between returning to danger or facing homelessness.
At True North, we’ve already walked alongside more than 3,900 individuals on their journeys from crisis to stability.
But the truth is… emergency shelter is only the beginning. Long-term healing needs long-term safety.
A New Era of Risk and Resilience
A big thank you to HelpSeeker Technologies for their collaboration, insight, and all the work put into this Strathmore & Area Community Needs Assessment.
Finding Your True North Project
- 36 affordable, trauma-informed housing units (studio, 1, 2, and 3-bedroom),
- Fully accessible spaces for individuals with disabilities,
- On-site childcare to support employment and healing,
- Culturally safe programming for Indigenous and 2SLGBTQIA+ communities,
- Wellness, recreation, and community-building activities,
- Integrated wraparound supports delivered with compassion and care,
- Outreach that engages & provides support,
- Trauma-informed counselling & wellness support,
- Multi-purpose rooms for life & employment skills workshops, support groups and other programming,
- 3 commerical units (occupancy yet to be determined) to enhance this part of the Strathmore community.
Be a Change Maker
When you give to Finding Your True North, you help:
- Increase housing stability for survivors transitioning from emergency shelters,
- Improve mental health, resilience, and safety for vulnerable families,
- Open pathways to employment, education, and community leadership,
- Reduce revictimization and support lasting independence, &
- Create a ripple effect of hope across generations!
Targeting Housing Insecurity is a Community Effort
We know we cannot do this alone!
Our team continues to work with the Calgary Foundation, CMHC, Grant Advisors, Women’s Shelters Canada, the Provincial and Municipal Government and our community to support the building of this project.
Thank you to our Board of Directors, Riddell Kurczaba Architecture Interior Design Engineering of Calgary, Altus Group of Calgary and countless others who are supporting this project with time, teasures, wisdom, and advocacy.
Real Change Happens when Systems Work Together
Join Us!
Finding Your True North is more than a building. It’s a promise that healing is possible, safety is within reach, and no one has to walk their path alone.
Be part of a future where survivors not only find shelter, but also belonging, dignity, and hope. Give today and help someone find their True North.
Questions? Want to explore sponsorship or naming opportunities? Please contact Courtney Helfrich, Executive Director, at courtneyh@truenorthab.com.
Project Updates & Resources
- Finding Your True North receives 3.5 million from Ministry of Assisted Living & Social Services, 2025
- Executive Director addresses community, “What does affordable housing in Strathmore really look like?” 2025
- Community Needs Assessment with HelpSeeker Technologies is completed, 2025
- Partnerships with Calgary Foundation, CMHC, Grant Advisors, Women Shelters Canadas and other community stakeholders begin, 2024
- Alberta Council of Women’s Shelters “Strength in Numbers” Data Report Published, 2024
- Project Design is Finalized, 2024
- Alberta Council of Women Shelters Data Release Published, 2023
- Project is Announced, 2022
- Land purchased for future site using True North restricted funds, 2022
You can make the difference!
👉 Share the Finding Your True North project with your neighbours.
👉 Join us at one of our community or fundraising events!