Creating pathways of hope in southern Alberta

Funding provided through the City of Lethbridge under Reaching Home: Canada's Homelessness Strategy

Escaping a violent domestic situation takes immense strength and courage. However, leaving is only the first step toward rebuilding a life. Many survivors still face uncertainty as they search for housing, stability, and the support needed to begin again. The YWCA Lethbridge & District recognized this critical gap and launched the Hope Transitional Housing Program (also referred to as the Hope Program), a first-of-its-kind initiative helping women, families, and gender-diverse individuals move from crisis to greater independence.

Filling the gap between crisis and stability

For more than seven decades, YWCA Lethbridge & District has supported individuals and families through programs addressing housing, poverty, health, and violence prevention. Over time, the organization saw that many people leaving emergency shelters were not yet ready for independent living. While shelters provide vital short-term protection, many survivors need more time to heal and re-establish stability.

The Hope Program responds directly to this need. It offers medium-term housing for those transitioning from emergency shelters, with stays typically lasting between six and 18 months. Residents live in private units within a shared environment that fosters safety, belonging, and community. By extending the length of stay beyond the usual 21-to-30-day shelter window, participants gain the stability required to rebuild their lives at a sustainable pace.

Empowerment through individualized care

The Hope Program's survivor-led model ensures that each participant receives personalized support. Residents work with a case manager to set and achieve individual goals, whether returning to school, securing employment, or finding long-term housing. Wraparound services include trauma-informed counselling, life-skills and parenting workshops, and guidance navigating the justice system.

“The path from emergency shelter to permanent housing isn't linear,” says Jill Young, CEO of YWCA Lethbridge & District. “Hope fills that critical space between escaping violence and rebuilding a life of safety and confidence.”

This model moves beyond crisis response, focusing instead on empowerment through choice, safety, and connection. By addressing both practical and emotional needs, the program helps participants regain control and confidence in their futures.

Collaboration that strengthens communities

Delivered in partnership with the City of Lethbridge, the Hope Program received close to $450,000 in federal funding to cover capital and operational costs. This investment builds on earlier municipal support and reflects a coordinated effort to reduce homelessness and support survivors across southern Alberta.

Early interest from referral partners and individuals seeking support reflects how urgently the community needs safe, transitional housing options. Thanks to collaboration and compassion, YWCA Lethbridge & District is helping survivors rebuild their lives with stability, dignity, and hope.

Quick facts

• Launched in 2019, Reaching Home is a community-based federal program that focuses on  preventing and reducing homelessness by supporting local priorities across Canada through six funding streams. The City of Lethbridge is responsible for distributing Reaching Home's Designated Community and Indigenous Homelessness streams funding to communities in Lethbridge, Alberta.
• Since 2019, Reaching Home has supported 1,581 community-selected projects across Canada that included people fleeing domestic violence as a target population.
• The Hope Program occupies a renovated floor within the YWCA Lethbridge building, featuring individual units and a communal kitchen designed for independent living.
• Participants in Hope live independently rather than in supervised supportive housing, marking a shift toward autonomy and personal responsibility.

For more information

• YWCA Lethbridge & District
• Hope Transitional Housing
• Reaching Home: Canada's Homelessness Strategy