In 1995, evidence from the Child Abuse Team at the Alberta Children’s Hospital showed that child abuse and neglect was most often attributed to parents undergoing extreme stress. These parents had nowhere to turn for immediate help or support during a crisis. In response to this evidence, Kids Kottage, Edmonton’s first and only crisis prevention shelter, opened in 1995 with a mission to prevent child abuse and neglect before it became a way of life.
In June 1995, more than 40 corporate leaders and individuals committed their support to make Kids Kottage a reality. Leaders like the ‘First Lady’ of Alberta at the time, Mrs. Colleen Klein, and community leader and businessman, Mr. J.R. Shaw were two of the first to put their support behind the Kids Kottage vision.
The Kottage first opened with six crisis beds and a full-time home visitation worker that provided follow-up service to families. Families were offered up to 72 hours of crisis care for children from birth up to the age of 11 years old, while parents were given follow-up counseling, support, and referrals to other needed services in the community. Families accessed the services of the crisis prevention shelter by way of the 24-hour crisis line, initially ran entirely by volunteers.
In 2021, Kids Kottage Foundation entered into formal partnership with Children’s Services to open up space for temporary care for children in care who were in need of overnight shelter care. The need continues to grow to care for all children in crisis.
Over the past 25+ years, because of the support of loyal supporters, partners and volunteers - Kids Kottage has become a trusted place in Edmonton and area where children are cared for and kept safe, while a source of support for caregivers is made available.
Since opening in the summer of 1995, Kids Kottage Foundation has provided safe refuge for more than 26,000 infants and children and has helped over 14,000 caregivers.
