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A recent donation from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is set to aid the Medicine Hat Women’s Shelter Society (MHWSS) in Alberta. This contribution will support upgrades and renovations at the Phoenix Safe House, an emergency shelter for women and children. MHWSS serves Medicine Hat and nearby rural areas in southeastern Alberta.
Bruce Hill, communication director for the Medicine Hat Alberta Stake, stated that this donation is “just one small part of the Church’s worldwide initiative for women and children, which was announced in June 2024.” The initiative aims to expand assistance for vulnerable women and children globally.
Relief Society General President Camille N. Johnson emphasized the broader impact of supporting women and children, stating, “Global progress starts with nourishing children and strengthening women. When you bless a woman, you bless a family, a community, a nation. When you bless a child, you invest in the future.”
The announcement event took place on December 18, 2024, attended by Linnsie Clark, mayor of Medicine Hat. Clark expressed gratitude towards the Church for its second donation to the community within two years. She remarked on being impressed by how “the worldwide Church would be mindful of our small and remote community in such a large way.”
Natasha Carvalho, executive director of MHWSS, noted that the Church’s contribution will enable significant work at the shelter to meet community needs for years ahead. Carvalho expressed amazement at the community's support: “Community stepping up is always so amazing to us... It really means we can keep the doors open and fund this new renovation. So it’s a big blessing.”
The renovation project will expand the emergency shelter capacity to accommodate up to 45 residents. Hill explained that part of the project costs covered by the Church’s donation includes facilities like an education room, community kitchen, daycare, interfaith room, along with security features such as access control systems.
MHWSS offers comprehensive services to victims of family violence including emergency shelters, outreach services, adult support groups as well as youth programs. In 2023 and 2024 alone, they supported over 1,141 individuals through various programs.
Jennifer Ottenbreit from MHWSS commented on their joy over this generosity: “We are overjoyed at [the Church’s] generosity to help bring our vision to life… providing every person that comes to see us with dignity and a safe place to heal.”
