Safe Haven Foundation of Canada

Karen and John Sherbut created Safe Haven Foundation in 1996 with an unwavering commitment to serve homeless and at-risk girls, as Karen had once been. Haven’s Way®, our innovative, long-term supportive housing program, opened its doors in 2000 to keep Calgary’s vulnerable youth safe, off the streets and in school. Almost 100 girls have called Haven’s Way home with an average length of stay being 2.5 years. In this safe, family like environment, they heal from the traumas they have endured, learn essential life skills, discover their passions, build their community of natural supports, and complete their high school education. Our program works. 

Our newest initiative, Haven’s Harbour, will provide affordable housing with supports for additional youth, graduating from Haven’s Way and like-minded programs, who are pursuing post-secondary education while learning to live independently. This will increase the number of young people we serve by 150% which equates to 3,285 bed nights per year for youth who are safely housed with access to education. It also increases the positive impact for their communities of families and natural supports.

Safe Haven Foundation provides a continuum of support for youth in Haven’s Way, Haven’s Harbour, and other Alumni. Education is one of our core values and, through our Educational Bursary and Therapeutic Support programs, young people are able to pursue post-secondary education and explore individual passions. All our youth have a strong, deep-rooted desire to better themselves through education, something they cannot do when they are not safely housed. We provide an environment that fosters growth and an encouraging space to succeed, fail and learn, whether that be in academics or life skills.