Rowan House Emergency Shelter celebrates 25 years of care

Rowan House celebrated 25 years of helping women and children seek safety from domestic abuse at an event in High River on March 27.

The Rowan House Society hosted an anniversary brunch at the Highwood Golf Course in High River, an event that featured multiple guest speakers as well as an address by executive director Linette Soldan.

Rowan House is dedicated to stopping domestic violence in many ways by providing resources to victims of gender-based violence and operating an emergency shelter in High River.

“Domestic violence is 75 per cent more prevalent in rural communities and traditional responses don’t always work,” said Soldan. “Founders 25 years ago recognized the need for a safe place for individuals and children experiencing domestic violence and abuse in Foothills County.”

Originally named Eagle Women’s Emergency Shelter, its humble beginnings back in 2000 included a small, two-bedroom house that operated near Black Diamond.

That shelter served the region well, but a larger space was needed, so slowly but surely the services and facilities of Rowan House began to expand.

By June 2012, Rowan House had expanded to its current facility, a 24-bed shelter that includes a spiritual room and multi-sensory space. There is also space where a variety of educational programs are delivered.

Flooding caused setbacks in 2013 but with volunteer help and donations Rowan House reopened stronger than ever the next year.

Providing emergency shelter is the society’s primary goal but it's also committed to reducing domestic violence through addressing the root causes with education.

“Upstream prevention, addressing root causes, is key,” said Soldan. “The Rowan House Society has partnered with researchers from the University of Calgary and University of Alberta to develop preventative efforts.”

By providing education where it’s needed, Soldan hopes to reduce domestic abuse incidents before they start.

“Our preventative education program has been vital. It includes school and community presentations, healthy connection groups and awareness events to ensure the community knows we are here for them.”

Along with emergency shelter services and preventative education, the shelter has also partnered with Pro Bono Law Alberta to provide 30 minutes of free legal advice to those in need. 

This multi-faceted approach allowed Rowan House to help over 200 clients in 2024 and almost 2,000 since 2015.

The shelter also provides a 24-hour support line that has helped 2,200 people in the last 10 years.

“We are always assessing needs and communities to determine if expanding our reach is necessary,” said Soldan.