Saskatchewan REALTORS® Association Helps Prepare Safe, Welcoming Housing Unit for Family Fleeing Violence
A transitional housing unit at SOFIA House is getting ready to welcome its next family fleeing domestic violence with help from the Saskatchewan REALTORS® Association (SRA). During their REALTORS Care® Day, seven REALTOR® volunteers came together to furnish and prepare the space by collecting and delivering furniture, pantry and household essentials, and assembling items to help create a comfortable place to call home.
The volunteers’ contributions will help ensure the unit is equipped with the everyday essentials the family needs to settle in. For the them, having what they need already in place means they can focus on being in a safe environment and taking their next steps in recovery.
“As REALTORS®, we often get to share in the joys of somebody buying or selling a home on their own terms. They’ve had a chance to plan and make the decision on their own terms and timelines,” said Chris Parrott, salesperson and REALTOR® with C & C REALTY. “It’s not lost on anybody how quick circumstances can change for anybody we may know. I feel that what we did here today will hopefully make a lifelong change for somebody and their children who are in a situation at no fault of their own.”
For families leaving situations of domestic violence, finding safe and stable housing can be a critical first step toward rebuilding their lives. SOFIA House provides 20 furnished apartments and long-term housing and support for women and children fleeing domestic violence. Through its second-stage housing programs, families gain the time and space to recover from the trauma of violence while accessing supports to help them move forward.
“It was an honour to be part of today,” said Chris Untereiner, salesperson and REALTOR® with Coldwell Banker Local Realty. “Seeing a blank canvas turned into a new beginning for a family in need. What SOFIA House is doing to assist families in need is incredible. I enjoyed every moment being a little part of that transition.”
Beyond a place to live, SOFIA House offers on-site counselling and programming designed to support women and children through the emotional and practical challenges of leaving an unsafe situation. Program coordinators work one-on-one with residents to set goals, connect with community resources and navigate legal, medical and financial matters, while children have access to individual and group programming.
The SRA is supporting SOFIA House beyond their REALTORS Care® Day through their Saskatchewan REALTORS Care® Grant Program. The program provides an annual grant to a registered charitable organization working to strengthen communities, and SOFIA House was selected as the 2026 recipient. Through these efforts, REALTORS® in Saskatchewan are helping provide more than just a place to live, but also safety and stability that is the foundation people need to regain control of their lives.
