COCHRANE— Big Hill Haven is embracing transformation and innovation to provide critical services for those experiencing domestic abuse.
Monday (Nov. 16) marked a big step for the non-profit as their second client-facing staff member, who is a trained social worker, joined the Big Hill Haven team. The move will allow the non-profit to expand its hours to include evening and weekend coverage, said Big Hill Haven Fund Development Officer Tara McFadden.
“It’s really been a transformational year for us,” McFadden said. “They need is real. The need is now. We’re adapting as quickly as we can.”
McFadden said she is extremely proud of the board and staff at Big Hill Haven because they have made these changes while adapting and pivoting to the challenges created by COVID-19.
“Domestic violence it's been said many times was an epidemic before, but then when the COVID pandemic hit and it’s made it even worse,” McFadden said.
The organization opened its first official Haven in mid-August and has already been able to provide aid to women and children leaving abusive situations. McFadden noted it costs $175,000 to provide services to the community and Big Hill Haven receives no regular provincial or federal government funding. The crisis support centre provides services to about 60,000 people living in Cochrane, Bearspaw, Springbank, Bragg Creek, Cremona, Redwood Meadows and Ghost Lake Village.
“It’s [domestic abuse] more pervasive than anyone knows,” McFadden said, citing the Town’s recent Social Recovery Task Force survey indicating three per cent of respondents feared for their physical safety. “I know 100 people in Cochrane that means three of them behind closed doors don’t want to be there.”
McFadden noted abuse is not only physical— It can be emotional and financial as well.
When escaping an abusive relationship women leave “with the clothes on their back” losing their financial, friends and community supports, said Chair Valerie Gilmore, making it a challenging choice to leave an abusive situation.
“It’s a complete lack of independence— You’re completely dependent on someone who controls your entire life,” McFadden said. “It’s a frightening and eye-opening experience to be involved with Big Hill Haven— The cases are more complex.”
Big Hill Haven and their partner organizations are seeing a rise in cases that are more severe and complex during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“A lot of addictions, a lot of mental health issues, a lot of isolation,” Gilmore said. She explained Big Hill Haven is ready to provide resources to those who have a friend or family member reach out for help. “If you take a family that has some mental health and addictions issues and then force them into a point where they’re completely isolated and they can’t ask for help, they can’t reach out for help and they can’t get time by themselves to seek help it only compounds it. Sometimes the devil you know is better than the one you don’t.”
Big Hill Haven wants to be able to create a support network allowing women to leave abusive relationships and know there is a safety net in the community that will catch and support them.
The non-profit has pivoted its approach to helping families in need to provide critical services, including four beds at the Haven, while conducting capital fundraising.
“We’re able to help now. We’re able to get women and children and their families into shelters now and not building to something that perhaps can never happen,” McFadden said. “We’re going to have time to test the model and see what the needs are and adjust.”
The non-profit recently adopted a five-year plan in the spring focussed on building capacity and housing, Gilmore said. The goal is to fill existing gaps and catch those who are falling behind.
A core to the services provided by Big Hill Haven is ensuring clients have security and confidentiality.
“They meet you where you're at— It’s being that champion and advocate for the women that give us a call,” McFadden said. “If you’re ready to leave, if you’re not ready to leave, they can help you with that.”
Gilmore added they are also able to provide support for anyone who is looking for resources to help those experiencing domestic abuse, or those who suspect someone they know may be experiencing domestic abuse.
“It can be really intimidating,” Gilmore said, explaining they want to be able resources to those who have a friend or family member reach out for help. “The more you know the better you do— It’s a really hard conversation to have someone come to you and disclose that. A person's reaction to that disclosure is going to dictate how that person moves forward and seeks help.”
November has been recognized as Family Violence Prevention Month by the Town of Cochrane. Wednesday (Nov. 25) has been designated “Go Purple Day” and Big Hill Haven is challenging the community to show support by wearing purple, dying their hair purple or have purple decorations at their house.
“For one day let’s show we’re aware as a community that family violence is here,” McFadden said. “That’s really the first step in stopping it.”
