Shelter Movers

Purpose

This 42-month project will allow for the scaling-up of Shelter Movers’ promising practice, a free moving and storage service to help survivors to leave abusive households, in Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba. As part of the model, survivors will have access to free survivor-centred assistance to safely move them, their children, pets and belongings, along with free protection by security personnel, storage, language interpretation and pet fostering when needed. This work will be carried out by Shelter Movers staff and volunteer movers and drivers who are specially trained and vetted to work with people who have experienced violence. Clients will be referred by local service providers, including shelters and transition homes. Shelter Movers will also partner with local moving and truck rental companies, security agencies, law enforcement, storage facilities, cultural interpreters, and pet rescues to ensure the survivors are supported in all aspects of their move. Additionally, Shelter Movers will engage an external evaluator to assess their processes from both a client and staff perspective, as well as evaluate the expansion process. Lastly, a plan to ensure the sustainability of the scale-up will be developed and implemented.