Rocky Mountain House moving company helps domestic violence victims
Travis McEwan | CBC News | Posted: September 7, 2016 12:00 PM | Last Updated: September 7, 2016
'More rewarding than any paycheque I got in the oilfield,' business owner says
Three months after Chris Ehret was laid off from his oilfield job, he's into a new business — a moving company that helps victims of domestic violence free of charge.
"All of my savings and everything was starting to dwindle down. I wasn't seeing any light at the end of the tunnel," said Ehret, the owner of Moving Forward in Rocky Mountain House. "It was time to swallow my pride.
"I had a truck and a trailer and I had to get out and do something."
It started as a way to be productive and to make money. He figured people in the Rocky Mountain House area could use another moving option.
But he realized he could do more when he met an RCMP officer and they talked about domestic violence calls and the way families are being affected by layoffs and the province's current economy.
Over the past month, he's completed three free moves for domestic violence victims. To spread the word he's using social media, and has also informed local shelters about his service.
"I want to do something where I can give back and make a difference in people's lives."
His last move was on Monday. Twelve volunteers helped a woman in her 60s move away from her partner.
"It was a massive success. We loaded everything up in 30 minutes and got her to a safe spot where we unloaded within 15 minutes. I guarantee it's a day she'll never forget."
He says when the crew first arrives the victims are anxious and fearful, sometimes on the verge of tears Ehret offers support and tells them he has their back.
A 'heartwarming' feeling
"When we drive away that person is smiling, happy and they're laughing. I feel a difference. It's so heartwarming to be able to do that and have this kind of resource to offer.
"After the first couple times, I noticed the feeling I got was more rewarding than any paycheque I got in the oilfield."
One of the women he's helped is a client of the Mountain Rose Women's Shelter in Rocky Mountain House.
Cindy Easton is the shelter's executive director. She said the service offers a way around barriers victims face when relocating.
"They may not have a vehicle, or a truck. The cost of a moving company can be a barrier — they can't get their furniture from one place to their safe housing," said Easton. "Having someone from the community step up is really helpful."
She said domestic abuse is complicated and rarely ends after the victim moves. But as long as victims continue to get support from shelters or other groups, it's a beneficial relationship for the business and the Mountain Rose shelter, she said.
"That way it's a full circle. He can help women we're working with, and someone that's moving, he can refer them to us so they can get other supports they may need."
Family history of domestic violence
Ehret's gesture came in part from pain and sadness. Ehret was raised by his single mother. A memory of abuse at the hands of one of her boyfriends sticks with him.
Conflict is a big concern for Ehret. He says the move can only happen if there's a guarantee that the victim's spouse will not arrive during the move. He's looked at the possibility of having an RCMP or police escort but says so far it hasn't been necessary.
It's not the first of its kind. A company in California called Meathead Movers teamed up with a shelter last year, In Toronto, someone started a non-profit called The Shelter Movers of Toronto.
Ehret says the demand for rescue moves is high. He's hoping he can continue to get more paid moves so he can hire employees, allowing him to find a balance between paid and free moves.
More information about his business is here on Facebook.