Founded in 1980, Discovery House (DH) helps abused women and children live safely in Calgary. Reports show that 1 in 4 Canadian women experience intimate partner violence, and Alberta has one of the highest rates of domestic violence in the country. When a woman leaves an abusive relationship, she may stay in an emergency shelter for a short period before being referred to a second-stage shelter like DH for long-term housing.

Discovery House uses the Housing First model, meaning that they prioritize finding families stable housing. DH houses women and children in 19 secure apartments and 1 single-family home where families stay for an average of 7 months. The charity also has a Community Housing Program which matched 130 families last year to affordable rental homes in the community.

Discovery House provides families with additional services and support after they are safely housed. An average of $750 worth of home goods, food, and clothing are given to recently rehoused families. Every woman and child is partnered with a case manager to refer the individual to specific services available. DH provides mental health assessments, counselling, employment training, parenting classes, and financial planning. Children receive play therapy and art therapy in addition to regular counselling, working to reverse the negative effects of trauma.  

Results and Impact: Discovery House reported that 90% of the women participating in their programs felt supported in addressing their emotional and practical needs. Of the children at DH, 85% met development milestones at an appropriate rate. DH also reports that 95% of community housing clients felt that the DH team was there when they needed them.

Discovery House is a medium-sized charity with donations and special events fundraising of $2.8m in F2017. The charity received $1.4m in funding from the government, representing 31% of total revenues. Administrative costs are 7% of revenue and fundraising costs are 11% of donations and special events. For every $1 donated 82 cents go to the cause, falling within Ci’s reasonable range. Discovery House has funding reserves of $4.6m, of which $1.2m is donor-endowed. Non-endowed funding reserves can cover 92% of program costs, meaning that DH could cover 11 months of programming with reserves.

Updated on June 7, 2018 by Madison Kerr.