In January 2012, family, friends, and community members came together to establish a fund in memory of Jessica Martel, a young mom who was murdered by her abusive partner on April 29, 2009.

Co-founded by Jessica’s mother, Lynne Rosychuk, the Jessica Martel Memorial Foundation set out to raise money to help address the shortage of emergency shelter beds. Soon after this work began, community members living in unsafe situations reached out for immediate support.

To meet these growing needs, the Foundation developed Outreach and Education programs to increase safety and support for individuals and families experiencing domestic violence. In September 2018, the Foundation broke ground on Jessie’s House, the Sturgeon Region’s first emergency shelter, on land gifted by the Town of Morinville.

Jessie’s House opened on May 19, 2020. The 35-bed emergency shelter serves large families and individuals of any age or gender.

More than just a bed, Jessie’s House provides family violence outreach, case management, court support, safety planning, and trauma-informed care. Built to accommodate even the largest families, Jessie’s House also provides specialized support for children who have lived through the trauma of abuse.

As a trauma-informed shelter, we meet residents where they are and reduce as many barriers to support as possible. Our person-centred approach promotes healing and helps individuals and families build safer futures.