FearIsNotLove Shelter

Shelter Flooring

“It’s so bright, warm and homey.” Thanks to the Allardyce Bower Foundation, this is the reaction FearIsNotLove hears often from clients at Calgary Women’s Emergency Shelter. These women and their children are fleeing domestic violence and abuse and we work with them during some of the most difficult periods of their lives.

FearIsNotLove is committed to providing services, support, and spaces that are trauma-informed, evidence-based, dignified, and comforting. Through your generous capital gift in 2022, over 20,000 square feet of flooring was replaced and the interior look and functionality of the Shelter was no less than transformative.

Before receiving the funding for the flooring project, the Calgary Women’s Emergency Shelter floors were covered with aging and worn carpet. As much as regular cleaning and maintenance was done, there were visible stains, tripping hazards from fraying or lifting tiles, and everyday wear and tear. It was unsightly and unsafe.

The new laminate floors are a game changer in helping those who need the Shelter feel welcome, valued, and safe. The flooring has brightened the hallways and rooms. It has also provided peace of mind and comfort to those with young children who are crawling or just starting to walk.

From a maintenance perspective, they are also making a difference. The time needed to stay on top of cleaning is much less as maintaining clean floors is easier (and quieter), especially in the pet-friendly rooms, the well-used dining room, and entrances during wet weather.

FearIsNotLove is grateful to the Allardyce Bower Foundation for providing the much-needed funding for this capital project. The impact is evident every day and, with the proper care and maintenance, for years to come. You have helped us create meaningful, safe spaces that are needed by women and their children fleeing domestic violence and abuse.