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Report to the Community 2025-2026

Latest News, Organizational News

Annual General Meeting & Report to Community

June 24th. 2026, True North Society held its Annual General Meeting & Report to Community: impact report.

Thank you all who attended! It was another year of success, challenges, and growth.

We can’t wait to see what’s next!

Explore below to see how your support changes lives.

Annual General Meeting

Message from the Board Chair
Audited Financial Statements
Message from the Executive Director

Report to Community 2025-2026

True North: Who We Are

Amanda Vanderlaan, Manager of Research & Development

True North has been in service to Strathmore residents and over 15 of our surrounding rural and ultra communities for over 30 years through 3 main branches of service:
    • Preventive and intervention Community education
    • Outreach that reaches into our community to provide essential support and education, and
    • Emergency Shelter (which houses our 24-hour help line) that offers shelter to individuals most in need of safety.

In these last 30 years, we have served well over 3000 survivors just in our emergency shelter and outreach programs, and we expect to serve thousands more with the implementation of our Finding Your True North continuum of care & wellness hub.

When we first opened our doors, True North was the first shelter in Canada to offer services to ALL individuals impacted by violence, regardless of sex or gender, and we continue to be a leader in our sector with our holistic model of care: prevention, intervention, and long-term stability.

As a rural agency serving rural and ultra-rural communities, True North operates as the only organization in the area that offers violence-specific prevention and intervention services. Ultra-rural communities face significant challenges in accessing essential services due to isolation from core services, limited options for transportation, and a lack of local programs.

This is what makes True North so special. Our rural position provides us with deep-rooted knowledge of local social dynamics and culture, and the ability to offer tailored and personalized services through our partnerships with Strathmore-based businesses & services.

In the last 10 years, we have seen a pretty even number of adults and children seeking support at our emergency shelter program. However, we have seen an increase in the length of emergency shelter stay – this tells us that survivors’ options for long-term safety continue to be challenging to obtain due to the housing crisis, barriers to employment (such as childcare accessibility and transportation costs), as well as increased living costs (groceries, utilities).
We do our best to support survivors as they navigate the housing crisis, and we depend heavily on our partnerships to connect survivors to the services they need when they journey from our program.
Although we see length of stay increasing overall, this last fiscal period, True North actually experienced a slight decrease, which is very reassuring!

Serving our Community

Carly Cole, Manager of Programming & Client Services

True North’s Emergency Residential Shelter provides safety and support 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. While we serve people of all ages and backgrounds, children are our largest group of shelter residents, accounting for 57% of those who stay with us. They are often the most vulnerable victims of family violence.

Many people don’t recognize they are in an abusive relationship until the abuse becomes physical or threats of violence begin. However, abuse often starts with coercive control, which is a pattern of behaviour used to dominate and isolate someone, such as monitoring their movements, controlling finances, limiting contact with family and friends, or making them feel afraid to make their own decisions. For many years, the justice system focused primarily on physical violence. However, we now know that abuse often begins long before someone is physically harmed.. In 2026, Canada introduced a new Criminal Code offence recognizing coercive control in intimate relationships, acknowledging that abuse is often about power and control long before physical violence occurs.

Shelters are often overlooked as essential services, yet they save lives every day. Our doors never close, and our staff are here around the clock to ensure that safety, support, and hope are available whenever they are needed.

Shelter without the Shelter

Carly Cole, Manager of Programming & Client Services

True North’s Outreach Program is available exclusively to individuals living within our local service area and supported 49 adults last year. This program plays a critical role in helping survivors stay safe in their homes while exploring their options and planning their next steps. Many participants are still in their relationships and are working toward a safe and sustainable exit, often preventing the need for an emergency shelter stay. Despite having only two full-time Outreach Workers with consistently full caseloads, we are proud that we have not had to implement a waitlist for services. The program also provides invaluable support navigating complex systems, including protection orders, parenting orders, and the court process during high-conflict and volatile situations.

Reaching “Out” Into Community

Carly Cole, Manager of Programming & Client Services

True North’s Community Outreach Program is all about getting ahead of violence before it happens. Through workshops in schools, community groups, and partnerships with other local organizations, we’re helping people build healthy relationships and stronger support networks. One thing we hear over and over in our feedback surveys is how much young people value learning about relationship red flags, healthy boundaries, and what to do if they or a friend are experiencing abuse. These conversations may seem simple, but they can make a lasting difference and help prevent violence before it starts.

Supporting Children

Carly Cole, Manager of Programming & Client Services

True North’s Child and Youth Workers play an important role in supporting families during their shelter stay. Leaving home can be confusing and overwhelming for children, so the focus is on creating a sense of normalcy, routine, and stability while they heal from trauma. The Rec Room is open seven days a week, giving kids and parents a chance to play, connect, and simply enjoy being kids together.

Supporting Parenting

Carly Cole, Manager of Programming & Client Services

True North’s Family Support Program is all about helping families stay connected and supported during a difficult time. For children who may be missing school because of their circumstances, we provide educational support to help keep them on track. Using the Ages and Stages model, we also help parents better understand their child’s development and celebrate their growth. And one of the favourite parts of the program? Our weekly parenting groups, where parents can learn, share, laugh, and support one another along the way.

Supporting Families

Carly Cole, Manager of Programming & Client Services

Two of our most loved programs are the Home Library and Family Enjoyment Project. Our Home Library gives families a cozy space to read, unplug from screens, and escape into a good story for a while. Thank you Hui Cao for your generous donation that stocked the library with new releases!

Thanks to the support of Wheatland FCSS, families can also enjoy special outings to places like the zoo, Heritage Park, and the science centre. These fun-filled days create lasting memories, strengthen family connections, and bring plenty of smiles to the children staying with us

Supporting Life-Long Safety & Healing

Carly Cole, Manager of Programming & Client Services

At the heart of everything we do is our vision: Interrupting the cycle of abuse through empowerment to create a safe environment for all. Our team is passionate about helping people not just find safety today, but build lasting safety for the future. Many of the families we serve are facing very high-risk situations, and our goal is that they leave with the tools, confidence, and knowledge they need, from safety planning and healthy boundaries to connecting with resources that can support them as they begin a new chapter free from abuse.

The Importance of Prevention

Amanda Vanderlaan, Manager & Research & Development

Prevention is the key to ending domestic violence. By investing in early intervention, prevention strategies, and relationship education, we can prevent and mitigate relationship violence before it escalates.  
    • The impact of domestic violence on both survivors and perpetrators increases pressure on public-funded services, such as police, court systems, correctional services, hospital care, victim services, and more. Reducing perpetrator-related costs through evidence-based prevention strategies has been found to yield considerable social benefits and economic savings. Preventing a single case of domestic violence victimization can avoid an estimated $11,000 in downstream spending costs, saving taxpayer dollars.
    • Effective prevention strategies can look like investing in maternal support programs, such as access to mental wellness programs, parenting support, or universal childcare —  this support in early childhood can reduce the likelihood of youth maltreatment & later development of violent perpetration.
    • Developing protective factors in youth lives (healthy role models, positive & healthy friendships, and safe, pro-social communities) helps reduce or mitigate the influence of Adverse Childhood Experiences, which in turn reduces the likelihood of engaging in unhealthy and violent behaviours in adulthood.
    • Engaging in open, positive, and trusting conversations with youth as they develop helps children to build safe/healthy connections with parents and peers, which has been shown to reduce the risk of dating violence.
    • Prevention can also look like Holistic Parental Supports targeted towards helping boys foster skills such as emotional regulation, healthy communication, resiliency, and understanding of identity without social stigmas & unhealthy gender beliefs – these skills help boys to foster healthier relationships overall.
Investing in domestic violence services saves.

Pawsitively Exciting!

Amanda Vanderlaan, Manager & Research & Development

In May 2026, True North was proud to announce we have become pet friendly! While our grand opening occurred just after the wrap up of our fiscal year, our internal Pet Committee was hard at work behind the scenes researching, applying for grants, and writing policies.

A significant number of survivors of domestic and intimate partner violence delay leaving dangerous situations because they fear what might happen to their pets. Pets are family: they are sources of joy, offering support, companionship, love, and stability. According to a 2021 study in the Journal of Aggression and Violent Behaviour, “pets are often threatened, harmed, or killed by abusers in households with Intimate Partner Violence,” with prevalence reaching up to 89% in various studies.

At True North we know that supporting survivors of violence means recognizing that pets are members of the family.

The Pet Program has given us an opportunity to create pet-friendly spaces that welcomes survivors with, who are otherwise unable to access shelter. We are incredibly grateful for the collaboration of the Calgary Humane Society. Our signed Memorandum of Understanding assisted True North with the development of our pet policy, ongoing behaviour assessments, and supplies for pet’s basic needs. Pet-friendly shelter spaces were made possible with the generous funding of the Purple Leash Project. A huge thank you to Nestlé Purina PetCare Canada and Women’s Shelters Canada for their support!

Strengthening Relationships

Amanda Vanderlaan, Manager & Research & Development

In 2023, True North and Siksika Health Services signed a Memorandum of Understanding. This was an agreement to collaboratively work together, support the training of Indigenous domestic violence providers, and improve domestic violence services to Indigenous individuals fleeing abuse.
Indigenous women in Canada face disproportionate rates of violence; more than six in ten (63%) Indigenous women report experiencing physical or sexual assault in their lifetime, compared to 45% of non-Indigenous women (Heidinger, 2022).
This past year, True North worked to meet the goals of our MOU by supporting Indigenous-led community events & awareness days, such as Red Dress Day and National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
Indigenous teachings & crafting opportunities were woven into our Professional Development goals, and we had the opportunity to welcome Indigenous practicum students into our space in which to learn and share knowledge.
Our Memorandum of Understanding is a living commitment, and we continue to explore new ways to learn from and support our Indigenous community.

Recognizing Elder Abuse

Amanda Vanderlaan, Manager & Research & Development

In 2025, True North became a foundational member of the Grasslands Elder Abuse Coordinated Community Response Steering Committee. The Committee’s mission is to promote the safety and wellbeing of Older Adults in our Region through identifying, addressing, and preventing elder abuse through awareness, education/advocacy and response.
As a Steering Committee member, True North provides the collective guidance, knowledge, and support. As a member, True North client’s have increased access to the Safe Spaces program. The Safe Spaces program helps find housing and care for seniors fleeing abuse who have medical or care needs that extend beyond what True North can provide. Through our partnership with the Grasslands Committee, we improve access to support for our elderly survivors.

Building Youth Resiliency 

Amanda Vanderlaan, Manager & Research & Development

In 2025, True North signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Trellis Society Strathmore.
Trellis Society, also now operating Kickstand Strathmore, is a Family Resource Network providing free programming to the community, focused on creating family resiliency and wellness. This MOU formalized our shared goals to collaboratively provide a safe, supportive, and engaging space for teens to access resources, build positive relationships, and participate in healthy activities.
With the hiring of the Community Outreach Worker, we are looking forward to the next fiscal year to see where our partnership will lead.

Prevention is Protection

Amanda Vanderlaan, Manager & Research & Development

Also in 2025, True North connected with the Actional Coalition on Human Trafficking in Alberta. It is not uncommon for the trafficker to be the husband, boyfriend, or romantic partner of a victim. “Between 2014 and 2024, police data shows that in trafficking cases involving women and girls, the most common accused person was an intimate partner – 36%” (Radiance Society).

Assisting shelters in recognizing and understanding the intersection of domestic violence and human trafficking helps create comprehensive support, prevention, and intervention strategies that support individuals targeted or impacted by trafficking. ACT’s It Takes a Village Program invests in cross-agency partnerships, increasing programming’s access to services, resources, and tools.

We look forward to learning more about the ITAV Program and incorporating more of these tools and strategies into our daily work.

Thank You Wayfinders

Amanda Vanderlaan, Manager & Research & Development

Over these last few months, True North has been reminded of the significance of our community, the impact of stewardship, and the incredible impact of our supporters and donors. With you, True North would not be operating as it does today. Your goals are our goals, and our successes are your successes.
Thank you, Wheatland Family and Community Support Services, for selecting True North as an applicant of the Family Resiliency Project. Grant funds received supported True North’s Family Enjoyment Program that gives families impacted by abuse opportunities to create happy, healthy family memories free from violence.
Thank you, United Way, in partnership with the Town of Strathmore; your support helped True North reach even more members of the community with awareness, information, and access to safety.
Thank you, Shoppers Foundation for Women’s Health, the charitable arm of Shoppers Drug Mart, for choosing True North as a recipient of the 2025 community grant; this funding helped support our front-line program, the heart of our emergency residential program, and the voice on the other end of the phone.

Thank You Community

Amanda Vanderlaan, Manager & Research & Development

Most importantly, thank you to our community members: our supporters, donors, and advocates. There are too many to name but know that your support is foundational to us.

We are deeply appreciative for every gift, every like, and every share.

Thank you.