Transformation Textiles

Transformation Textiles currently works in East Africa to reach out and impact the emerging generation of Africa’s young women with empowerment through education and enterprise.

In Sub-Saharan Africa, 1 in 10 girls will miss approximately six weeks of school each year because of the lack of access to affordable sanitary products.

Confronting this challenge, Transformation Textiles produces a range of affordable sanitary products for consumers who live below $2/day income. Branded "EVA", these products are 75% more cost-effective than other solutions available and can last up to 3 years. Access to these products allows girls to remain in school to complete their education, or women to have the dignity and confidence to go to work all month long. This simple change empowers women to break the cycle of poverty and places value upon womanhood.

In 2016, Transformation Textiles began to focus on how to bring grassroots enterprise for women to sell or manufacture the EVA brand locally within their communities. One "EVA" recipient described what having employment meant, "We used to be just women, now we are PEOPLE". Wow! This statement speaks volumes about dignity and women.

The Calgary Pregnancy Care Centre

No one should face an unplanned pregnancy alone.

The Calgary Pregnancy Care Centre is a non-profit agency offering assistance for anyone facing an unplanned pregnancy or experiencing post-abortion stress. We have been caring for women, youth and families since 1985. We are here to answer questions, present options and support clients through the decision-making process and beyond. Other services include clothing for baby and mother, Prenatal and Parenting Classes, and a weekly medical clinic run by registered Physicians.

The Centre has published and shared curriculum worldwide with focuses on healthy relationships and self-image for young women, post-abortion support and recovery, as well as how to support birth moms in the adoption process.

Not only does the Pregnancy Care Centre take their commitment to helping those in crisis in the community seriously, but it also provides preventative education to thousands of Calgary’s teenagers each year.

The Take Charge Program helps teens navigate pressing questions regarding sex, relationships, and dating. Through education, dialogue, and asking the right questions, teens are equipped to discern between healthy and unhealthy perspectives and behaviours.

Emma House

Being homeless is challenging enough. Imagine how much more challenging it is to be homeless and pregnant, or with a newborn child. This why two local police officers established Emma House, the first Calgary shelter dedicated solely to meeting the needs of pregnant women who were desperately seeking a place to live. Emma House has been providing shelter and support to homeless pregnant women since 1992. It has housed more than 140 women so far and provides support to women, and their unborn and newborn children, helping these new mothers experience hope for the future.

Although Calgary has more than 50 agencies working to address homelessness, only three—including Emma House—are focused solely on meeting the needs of pregnant women. Collectively, these three agencies can accommodate only 15 women at one time. Other pregnant women are being forced to live in temporary emergency shelters—not knowing from one night to the next where they will stay. The need for Emma House’s services is greater now than it ever has been. Emma House is positioning for growth to effectively respond to this great need.