YWCA offers Hope with new housing program

By Lethbridge Herald on June 11, 2025.

Alejandra Pulido-Guzman
Lethbridge Herald

The Lethbridge and District YWCA newest housing program will help women and families coming from emergency shelters can live independently while taking the necessary, and often lengthy, steps towards a life free from violence. 

Jill Young, CEO, says the Hope Transitional Housing Program for Women and Children is the first of its kind in Lethbridge, and it is designed to support women and children who are looking to move beyond crisis but are still facing serious barriers in terms of safety and stability. 

“We know that the path from emergency shelter to permanent housing isn’t linear, so the new program fills that critical gap between escaping violence and being able to rebuild,” says Young. 

She adds that the program focuseds on what the YWCA Lethbridge can provide and is based on the local community and its needs. 

“This is a program that offers life skills supports, case management and individualized goal supports, and also includes their own space and access to a communal kitchen and communal kitchen and communal engagement spaces.”

The length of stay in the space is typically between six to 18 months, says Young, compared to the 21- to 30-day stay at the emergency shelter, where the immediate needs of the individuals are addressed. 

“Hope is a medium length of stay that is looking to focus on life skills in between transitioning from an emergency shelter’s short-term emergency stay to that independent permanent housing,” says Young. 

Priority will not only be given to those leaving the YWCA Harbour House Emergency Shelter, but to any women and children or individuals leaving any emergency shelter across the province, or even across the country if needed, due to domestic violence or gender-based violence. 

“The Hope program offers trauma informed care, personalized goal planning and childcare. It’s a survivor-led model, which means the support we provide is based on each individual’s needs and not a ‘all size fits all’ approach,” says Young. 

Through funding provided by the Government of Canada’s Reaching Home program, the City of Lethbridge has allocated close to $450,000 in capital and operational money to Hope.

“I’m grateful for the strong collaboration with City administration and council that helped bring this vision to life, and I’m optimistic about what we can continue to build together to support lasting impact,” says Young.  

The funding, administered by the City’s Community Social Development (CSD) department and guided by the Community Wellbeing Advisory Board, builds on just over $230,000 in capital funding previously approved by city council. 

The Hope Program will be gradually accepting intake referrals throughout the next several weeks, and Young says that they expect to be at or near capacity within six weeks. 

Young says the YWCA Lethbridge will continue to develop educational and empowering programming for Hope participants that will prepare them to find higher education options, employment opportunities, housing and childcare providers, and essential services supports. 

YWCA Lethbridge is hosting an Open House on June 18 from 3-7 p.m. and all members of the community are invited to visit the organization at 604 8 St. S. to learn more about the Hope program, other programs and services offered by YWCA, and their vision for the future.