• Residential
• Helpline
• Outreach
• In-house School
• Child Support Programs
• Chrysalis
  2nd Stage Housing
• Orbiting Trends

• Margaret Savage was born in 1907
• Graduated from Medical school in 1929
• The only woman in her graduating class
• Was appointed by the Presbyterian Home Mission as the physician for the Alberta Peace Country
• Moved to Cold Lake in the mid 1940's and treated patients until her death in 1970
• Named Physician of the Century in 2006

The problem of battered women was first identified in this area by the Grand Kinosoo Community Council of Concerned Citizens, the Four C’ers, in 1979.  Early in 1981, a study as to the need for a women’s shelter was undertaken with input obtained from all the “helping agencies” in the community.

Because the number of battered and abused women was found to be high, a volunteer committee was formed involving the Four C’ers, Alberta Social Services and Community Health, and Preventive Social Services.  This committee began work on the establishment of a shelter.

The Centre opened in September 1982, being run on a volunteer basis until March 1983, when paid staff were hired.   The Dr. Margaret Savage Women’s Crisis Centre Society was registered with the provincial government in March 1993.
A ten member Board of Directors was established under the auspices of the Four C’ers, but subsequently functions independently and is responsible for the operation and promotion of the Centre.

The Centre was named in honor of Dr. Margaret Strang Savage, who provided medical and pastoral services from 1943  to 1970.  Appointed by the Women’s Missionary Society as a doctor to John Neil Hospital, Dr. Savage’s practice included Cold Lake, Grand Centre, Riverhurst, Ethel Lake, Beaver Crossing, Cherry Grove, Elizabeth Settlement, Le Goff Reserve, and Pierceland, Saskatchewan.

In addition to her medical duties, Dr. Savage served as a minister of the United Church, as well as establishing several youth groups such as “Sunday Schools”, “Trail Ranges”, and “Wolf Cubs”.
Her remarkable energy enabled her to play an active role in the establishment of the  John Neil Hospital,  the nurses’ residence, and the United Church Manse.
Her courage and determination remain an inspiration long after her passing in 1970, and are commemorated in today’s Dr. Margaret Savage Crisis Centre.

The Dr. Margaret Savage Women’s Crisis Centre is a facility in which women and their children may seek assistance and shelter when they are facing crisis situations in their lives.