strives to meet the needs of women and children fleeing from domestic violence, to provide a quality Head Start program for inner city children, and to give volunteers a unique and meaningful experience.

Every Monday through Thursday of each school year over the past ten years, 55 - 60 children between the ages of 3.5 and 5.5 are bussed to (and from) the Atonement Home to participate in the C.A.P. (Child and Parent) Head Start program. During their school day these children explore the world around them by participating in exciting classroom projects. They create expressive works of art. They listen to stories and learn to count, print, sing, laugh, and play together. Some work on speech and language exercises. They eat a hot lunch and nutritious snack. They form strong, positive attachments to their teachers, aides and key workers. They learn to resolve conflict in non-violent ways.

C.A.P. Head Start is a non-denominational program that takes a holistic approach to early intervention. The Program encourages the child's intellectual, emotional, spiritual and physical development. Head Start provides the opportunity for ongoing assessments that determine the child's physical and intellectual and emotional needs. Speech delays, language barriers, vision, dental and other health issues are identified and addressed. The children have access to the services of a Speech Pathologist, a Community Health Nurse and a Pre-School Therapist. Each day the children receive a hot meal and a nutritious snack. Clothing, outerwear and other personal items are provided when necessary.

The children who participate in this program live in neighborhoods of Boyle/McCauley and Parkdale, the heart of Edmonton's inner-city. Many of them belong to families that constantly struggle with poverty, isolation, sole-parenting, language barriers, unemployment, hunger and too few resources. C.AP. Head Start works with these families, forming close partnerships with parents, helping them identify individual skills, strengths and goals, and putting them in touch with the resources that can ultimately lead them to self reliance. The 10 year-old C.A.P. Head Start Program is invaluable to many families in Edmonton's core neighbourhoods.



Lurana Shelter is a first-stage emergency shelter for women and children fleeing domestic violence. It provides safe shelter in a confidential location, immediate crisis intervention, food, clothing, transportation and child support.

Lurana Shelter also makes available the following:

• the services of a VON nurse
• the services of a team of psychologists
• the services of the Spousal Abuse Support Team
• the services of interpreters
• the services of University of Alberta Faculty of Law Student Legal Services
• referrals to medical, housing and employment agencies
• development of a safety plan
• child care when necessary
• outreach, which provides support and community referrals once the woman has left the Shelter