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Call or text our free and confidential 24-Hour Support Line: 403-652-3311

We are more than an emergency shelter.

Rowan House Society is a place of safety, healing and hope for people affected by domestic violence and abuse across southern Alberta's smaller urban and rural communities. We are more than an emergency shelter — we understand the unique challenges of seeking help close to home, and through crisis support, long-term care and prevention, we work to break the cycle of abuse where it too often goes unseen.

About Us

For more than 25 years, Rowan House has provided crisis intervention, long term support and preventative education to anyone affected by domestic violence and abuse in the communities we serve across southern Alberta.

Rowan House takes its name from the Rowan tree, whose berries endure through winter — a symbol of life and strength through the darkest seasons. Long associated with protection, peace, and sanctuary, the Rowan tree reflects the values we stand for.

Mission:

We are here to break the cycle of domestic violence and abuse in our communities.

Vision:

We are here to break the cycle of domestic violence and abuse in our communities.

I will always hold gratitude for the influence Rowan House brought in how I feel about myself now, and how I will continue to grow in the right direction with what I’ve learned.

— Rowan house client

Who We Serve

Rowan House Society believes that everyone deserves to thrive in safe and empowering relationships. Our support and services are available for all individuals experiencing abuse, in any form.

Our emergency domestic violence and abuse shelter is currently only open to female clients and children, however, our support line and outreach and prevention programs are available to everyone, regardless of race, cultural or spiritual background, gender identity or sexual orientation.

Please call or text our 24-Hour Support Line at 403-652-3311 and we can connect you to the resources that best suit your needs.

Aldersyde

Arrowood

Black Diamond

Blackie

Carmangay

Cayley

Champion

Claresholm

DeWinton

Eden Valley

Heritage Pointe

High River

Rowan House Society is located in High River, Alberta, on Treaty 7 Territory.

The area we serve includes a population of over 100,000 individuals within three municipal districts: Foothills County, the MD of Willow Creek, and Vulcan County.

This includes the communities below, and rural areas in between:

Longview

Millarville

Mossleigh

Nanton

Okotoks

Parkland

Priddis

Stavely

Turner Valley

Vulcan

Our History

For more than 25 years, Rowan House has provided safety, healing, and hope to families in Southern Alberta.

We opened in January 2000 as Eagle Women's Emergency Shelter, in a small two-bedroom suite near Black Diamond that could house just two women and their children. As demand grew, it became clear a larger, more secure facility was needed: one that was central to the communities we serve. High River welcomed us, and in July 2007 we became Rowan House, named for the Rowan tree, long associated with protection, peace, and endurance through hardship.

In 2009, we launched Branches, our preventative education program, which now reaches over 3,000 students annually with education on healthy relationships and family violence.

Thanks to overwhelming community support, we broke ground on a new 8,500-square-foot facility in 2011 and opened our doors in July 2012—filling all available beds within two days. Eleven months later, the 2013 southern Alberta floods devastated our lower floor. We rebuilt and reopened within months, and used the experience to deepen our commitment to trauma-informed care.

Today, Rowan House Society operates a 24-bed facility made possible by the support of our community, and we continue to grow our programs to meet the evolving needs of those we serve.

Meet the Team

Michelle Scott

CHAIR
Michelle is the CEO & President of Northridge Executive Partners, providing a bench strength of coaches and consultants to support organizations in Organization/Culture Transformation, Executive Coaching, Team Development and HR/Business Consulting. Michelle is a Master Certified Executive and Team Coach with 20+ years in leadership and executive roles in a variety of industries in startup, global, and Fortune 500 Companies.
Michelle believes in community engagement and support which she does through leadership coaching with the GAIN team for the United Way group of organizations. She was a previous Board member at Discovery House and is now excited to join Rowan House Society to help drive its mission to end the cycle of domestic violence. In her spare time Michelle enjoys spending time with her family, golfing and agility competitions with her Australian Labradoodle.
Michelle is recognized by the International Coaching Federation as a Master Certified Coach (MCC) and Advanced Certified Team Coach (ACTC). She is a National Board-Certified Health & Wellness Coach (NBC-HWC). Michelle is a certified facilitator and received her Team Coaching Certificate from Brown University and her B.Sc. in Psychology and HR Management from the University of Calgary.
David Harper

VICE CHAIR

With over 25 years of experience in the technology industry, David currently serves as the Vice President of Customer Success at a California-based start-up. Over the course of his career, he has developed a deep expertise in driving customer satisfaction and fostering longterm relationships. Outside of work, David is a passionate golfer, runner and enjoys travelling and spending quality time with his wife and two daughters.
David is excited to join the Board of Directors at Rowan House Society and is driven by his commitment to making a meaningful impact in the community and is looking forward to contributing his skills and experience to help further the organization’s mission.
Tina Pratt

Treasurer

Tina’s many years of finance strategy achievements for federal and provincial government agencies - as well as international and national companies has always been based on her philosophy: “Collaboration and connection helps people rise.”
Not many people get excited about business projections, cashflow statements, and revenue streams. Tina believes a healthy and sustainable organization is built on its connections to the community it serves.
When she is not working on her master’s degree, you will find her in an escape room with family and friends, travelling to NYC, Europe, and spending time with her bossy bulldog Athena, who thinks she is spectacular at Math formulas too.
Carrie Penner

SECRETARY
Sandra Wiebe

DIRECTOR
Sandra Wiebe is a Counselling Therapist based in Calgary, Alberta, with a passion for supporting women through life’s challenges and transitions. She holds a Master of Counselling Pyschology (MCAP) and a Bachelor in Applied Communications (BCMM), bringing a unique blend of mental health expertise, leadership, and community engagement to her work.
Before becoming a therapist, Sandra was a business owner and resident of High River, where she developed strong relationships throughout the community and became actively involved in numerous local initiatives. Her community service has included participation on various committees and serving on the Diamond Valley Chamber of Commerce, providing her wth valuable experience in governance, strategic planning and community development.
Sandra’s professional counselling work focuses on helping women navigate trauma, life transitions, stress, and personal growth. She is committed to fostering resilience, empowerment, and wellbeing in the individuals and communities we serve.
As a Board member, Sandra combines her counselling background, communications expertise, and extensive community leadership experience to support the organization’s mission of providing safety, support, and hope for women and families facing adversity. She is honored to contribute to strengthening services and creating positive, lasting impact within the community.
Maureen Swanson

DIRECTOR
Maureen is recently retired from the City of Calgary where she held senior leadership positions for many years in Information Technology, Community Services and the City’s wholly owned subsidiary, Calgary Housing. As a leader, Maureen led strategic planning, policy and governance as well as organizational transformation, technology and government relations.
Passionate about service, Maureen is most alive when she is contributing to community and reducing vulnerability. She has been able to do this throughout her career and through volunteering. Maureen has previously served on a Non-Profit Board and a sport Board. Maureen is excited to join the Rowan House Society Board and contribute to the mission of breaking the cycle of domestic violence and abuse.
Maureen holds Masters degrees in Business Administration and Leadership & Ministry. She is certified in Change Management and has completed multiple courses through the Institute of Corporate Directors and the Tamarack Institute. She loves spending time with her family and exploring through hiking, cycling and travel.
Linette Soldan

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Linette Soldan has been in the Social Services sector for over 25 years. Throughout her career, she has supported individuals and their families with counselling, safety planning, case planning, parenting strategies and navigation of community resources that will build their formal and informal supports.
Linette believes that supporting individuals and their families to increase their sense of safety, resiliency, and dignity is key through the collaboration of strong partnerships.
Strong partnerships assist in seamless client delivery and improves access to services for individuals and their families experiencing domestic violence and abuse.
Linette has a deep passion for being in the outdoors - going for walks, camping and fishing with her family.