For families escaping intimate partner violence in Saskatchewan, finding a safe place that welcomes every member of the family—including pets—can be a critical barrier. Regina's SOFIA House is breaking down that barrier, offering long-term, pet-friendly housing as a cornerstone of its mission to provide security and a fresh start.
A Crucial Resource in a Province with High Needs
Executive Director Christa Baron emphasizes that SOFIA House is more than just emergency shelter. "We're providing long-term housing," says Baron. "Families that are coming to stay with us, they're coming here to start to rebuild and to find that stability, start those new traditions and have that opportunity to celebrate somewhere safe and secure."
The need for such services is acute in Saskatchewan, where studies consistently show some of the highest rates of domestic violence in Canada. Since its humble beginnings in 1988 in a four-apartment complex, SOFIA House has grown significantly. It now operates two programs with a total of 39 apartments across Regina, offering second-stage housing for women, children, and their pets after they leave first-stage emergency shelters.
The Christmas Cheer Fund's Vital Role
This vital work receives significant support from the community through the Regina Leader-Post Christmas Cheer Fund. Established in 1992, the fund raises money annually for four local women's shelters. In the previous campaign, it raised an impressive $162,528.81, distributed equally among SOFIA House, WISH Safe House, Regina Transition House, and the YWCA's Isabel Johnson Shelter.
The current campaign continues to see strong support, with $198,378.62 raised to date. "We are eternally grateful to this campaign and to the Leader-Post for sharing our stories," Baron states. "We're always happy to share our message and help people understand and be educated on what the needs are."
Removing Barriers by Welcoming All Family Members
A defining and compassionate feature of SOFIA House's expanded services is its policy on pets. "Our full facility is totally pet-friendly," Baron explains. She notes that the fear of leaving a beloved animal behind can often prevent someone from leaving a dangerous situation. "It can be such a challenge for someone who's looking to leave an unsafe situation. They can often be held up because of a furry friend they don't want to leave behind."
By welcoming pets, SOFIA House removes a significant emotional and practical obstacle. "We don't want anything to hold them back when they finally decide it's time to go," Baron says. "We want to be a place where people can access safety, knowing the people and animals they love are safe, too."
The average stay in their second-stage housing is about 16 months, providing a substantial period for families to stabilize and plan for the future. During the recent holidays, the shelter's "Celebrate a Holiday Homecoming" initiative used special donations to provide Christmas presents, meals, and food hampers for residents, helping to foster those new, positive traditions in a secure environment.
