Every year, True North and the Alberta Council of Women’s Shelters (ACWS) participate in the Love a Shelter Valentine’s Day Awareness campaign to bring attention to the need for domestic violence shelters around Alberta.
Love a Shelter encourages the public to write and send supportive Valentine’s messages to or on behalf of shelter staff and residents, highlighting the essential services that domestic violence shelters provide for survivors of abuse.
- Awareness: Increasing awareness of relationship violence and support services.
- Community Involvement: Getting the community involved helps to break the stigma of relationship violence and promote conversations about healthy boundaries and relationships.
- Advocacy: The collected Valentines are presented to the government to demonstrate public support and the critical need for shelter funding. Participants can mail Valentines directly to the representative of their choice, or send their Valentines to True North, for True North to collect and deliver on their behalf.
- Education: Love a Shelter helps to educate young people about domestic violence and prevention.
- Support: Love a Shelter shines a light on the significant issue of relationship violence and emphasizes the crucial role shelters play in providing prevention, intervention, and connections to long-term safety solutions.
Show Some Love!
Get involved and show a little love to your local domestic violence shelter.
Get creative and craft your own Valentine or check out the templates below!
Mail your Valentine to your local representative or
send it straight to True North: PO BOX 2162, Strathmore AB, T1P 1K2.
Love a Shelter: Call to Action
We call upon the Alberta Government to increase funding for Alberta’s Domestic Violence shelters and assist service providers in meeting the needs of our community, protecting survivors of violence, and helping survivors lead healthy, independent lives.
Feburary 2024
Feeling the Love
Wow! Thank you to our community for supporting True North’s Love a Shelter campaign with your creativity, kindness, and passion for supporting others!
With your help, we have collected and mailed nearly 200 valentines to our local MLA and the Alberta Minister of Children & Family Services!
All of us at True North have been overwhelmed by your compassionate comments and support – we only wish we could share each and every Valentine here!
“We love Alberta Shelters: just know life WILL get better. We are with you every step of the way.”
“Thank you, True North: You are like a warm hug at the end of a long day for our community. Thank you for being there for the hardest moments. You are hope.”
“Support Alberta Shelters: Everyone deserves to be safe. Even you.”
“I get your going through something though or hard but someone cares about you out there, so happy valentines.”
“I hope you’re alright and get better, whatever you’re going through, now you’re okay. Fund Alberta shelters.”
“We Love Alberta Shelters: As the demand for a safe environment from abuse is increasing, we need to continue and increase support and finding for the GREAT work they do.”
“Thank you, True North: Outreach Team, thank you for reminding me I matter. Coffee + connection = healing <3s”
“Thank you, True North: you probably already know this, but if you feel unsafe or sad I’ve found laughter heals everything even if it’s just for a moment. If that doesn’t work, then just a food old fashioned hug, it could be a stranger but it feel great, you will feel better.”
“We Love Alberta Shelters: You are loved. You are cared for by many people. You just gotta love yourself and believe in yourself – a person who cares.”
“We Love Alberta Shelters: Domestic Violence shelters are important because they give people a safe place to stay when they feel they aren’t safe. These shelters offer safety and help to those who need it and very important. I’m glad these places exist.”
“True North, I would like to thank you for everything you do. You have a big impact on our community!”