October 15, 2021
Discovery House Launches Harvest Table – A Safe Space For Women And Children To Build Healing Connections and Address Food Insecurity
October 15th, 2021, Calgary, AB - Discovery House Family Violence Prevention Society has launched Harvest Table, a space intended to further support families rebuilding their lives following domestic violence as they heal and regain their independence. The space aims to address food insecurity, social isolation, and the adverse effects of domestic violence by bringing together women and children who have experienced domestic violence in a communal space where they can prepare nourishing meals together while building healing connections.
Located in the heart of the shelter, Harvest Table has a functional inviting kitchen space with open and clean workspaces and brand-new commercial grade appliances. It will facilitate socialization and create a community for mothers and children during a critical turning point in their lives. The Harvest Table will also offer life skills programming to help build independence for when the families leave Discovery House.
"It creates a wonderful opportunity for families to share about their cultures, learn from each other and move forward on their paths to wellness and resiliency," says Leslie Hill, Executive Director for Discovery House.
The space was made possible in partnership with generous organizations and individuals passionate about ending domestic violence, including The Rotary Club of Calgary Downtown, P.E.A.R.L. Foundation and The Calgary Foundation. “Initiatives like the Harvest Table help Canadians and Calgarians by creating a safe space where women and their families can get together to learn, to share, to grow, to gain skills. It really provides them with the social capital and the expertise that they are going to need when they leave Discovery House,” said Jason Bates, Vice President, Grants and Community Initiatives at Calgary Foundation.
Our lead in-kind partner, [IN] SIDE ]OUT[ Design Studio, designed the space and coordinated the renovation, leveraging their suppliers and manufacturers to support this project. “Support from partners has been phenomenal!” said Carrie Gould-Gretsinger, Director of Design at [IN] SIDE ]OUT[ Design Studio, “We reached out to people that we normally do business with, and they openly encouraged and engaged us.” Despite the uncertainty of the pandemic, over 30 businesses gave generously to make this project a reality. Tom Loszchuk, a millwork specialist and founder of Trades Guild, an initiative to help at risk youth learn life skills, led the implementation of the project. Tom was featured as an "Inspired Albertan" for his involvement.
About Discovery House Family Violence Prevention Society Discovery House is a non-profit providing a continuum of care to women and their children leaving domestic violence. We facilitate and offer transitional, longer-term, safe housing for women and children to call home while they begin rebuilding their lives. We provide mothers access to counselling, support and programs to ensure they never return to abusive partners. We work directly with children, to mitigate the effects of trauma and prevent the cycle from repeating. To learn more or donate, visit discoveryhouse.ca.
Discovery House Contact:
Iboro Edem, Communications Specialist
403-998-4914
iedem@discoveryhouse.ca
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