YWCA's Stockings of Hope campaign is now open for 2025!

Harbour House Emergency Shelter

Where safety begins

When your home isn’t safe, Harbour House is your first step toward peace and freedom.

If you're in immediate danger, call 911

24-Hour Crisis Line

Local: 403-320-1881
Toll-free: 1-866-296-0447

For in person Inquiries 

604 8 St S, Lethbridge, AB

Send us a message (Non-Urgent Inquiries)

Fill out the form here

Support that meets you where you are

Harbour House is a short-stay, 24-bed emergency shelter for women and children fleeing abuse.

Harbour House Food Drop Off Ywca

Food, shelter, toiletries

{acf_feature_box_link_text}
Gabrielle Henderson 5hqtjt2l9gw

Safety planning sessions

{acf_feature_box_link_text}
Womens Self Defense Classes Ywca

Educational and self-care programming

{acf_feature_box_link_text}
Hannah Busing Zyx1bk9mqma

Referrals to community agencies

{acf_feature_box_link_text}

Additional services are available through our Support Services department, which provides you ongoing aid while you’re at the shelter and after your departure.

Support services

We are available 24 hours a day and can help you navigate immediate crises and the legal system, including:

  • no contact orders
  • emergency protection orders
  • victim impact statements
  • service and goal plans
  • interim custody orders

You’ll have access to everything from counselling to education. We’ll help you find stable housing (including entrance to Harbour House) and other critical supports. These may include, but are not limited to:

  • securing funding
  • collaborating with other agencies like AISH, Alberta Works, Housing Associations 
  • referrals to other community resources

Supports we offer

  • Safety planning

    Experienced staff help you create a plan to build more safety in your relationships at home, at work, and in public.

    Support Safety Planning Ywca
  • Protection orders

    Get help to understand the process to obtain formal legal protection to shield you from stalking, harassment, and physical abuse.

    Support Protection Orders Ywca
  • Family law support

    Help finding appropriate resources and understanding the legal processes as you navigate the family law court system (divorce, custody, child support, etc.).

    Support Family Law Support Ywca
  • Support for children

    Trauma-aware staff help children and youth process their feelings in safe, educational spaces using play, art, laughter, and games.

    Support For Children Ywca
  • Harbour House school

    In partnership with Lethbridge School District #51, trained workers ensure children keep up with schooling even amid disruption.

    Support Harbour House School Ywca
  • Domestic violence information

    Learn to identify abusive behaviours, understand the effects on your family, and build skills to protect you and your loved ones.

    Support Domestic Violence Information
  • Community resources & groups

    Information sessions educate you on your rights and responsibilities as a tenant and what you can expect from a landlord.

    Support Community Resources Groups Ywca

Is it really abuse?

Abuse can take so many forms, and it can be so hard to identify when you’re in the middle of it—truthfully, abuse can feel quite normal.

But it is not normal.

Take a look at the different forms abuse can take.

Female Distraught

Physical abuse

  • Physical harm to you or your children
  • Forbidding you from eating or sleeping
  • Forcing you to use drugs or alcohol
  • Preventing you from seeking help
Woman Emotional Abuse

Emotional abuse

  • Insults, criticism, and name-calling
  • Acting jealous or possessive
  • Isolating you from friends or family
  • Blaming you for every problem
Woman In White Somber

Financial abuse

  • Giving you an allowance and watching how you spend it
  • Forbidding you from working
  • Stealing money from you, your friends, or your family
  • Living in your home but not contributing
Woman Abuse Victim

Sexual abuse

  • Forcing you to dress in a sexual way
  • Forcing or manipulating you into performing sexual acts
  • Hurting you with weapons or objects during sex
  • Making you afraid of what will happen if you say no

If any of these forms of abuse are happening to you, call our support line immediately: 403-320-1881 or toll-free at 1-866-296-0447. We can help you find safety.

You can help break the cycle of violence 

1%
of women will experience a form of sexual violence in their lifetime
1%
of Canadian women over 16 have suffered physical or sexual violence.
>1%
 of women have been assaulted by their spouse or partner

When you support Harbour House, you give women and their families a chance to escape abuse and find a better way forward.