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Members of the 100 Women Who Care present a cheque to Jeff Reeder and Michelle McKeaveney from River Valley Resilience Retreat. (Image Credit: paNOW Staff/Nick Nielsen)
Donation

100 Women Who Care show support for River Valley Resilience Retreat

Mar 13, 2026 | 6:05 AM

Veterans, first responders, and others who may be dealing with mental health issues due to their line of work just got a boost to one of their support systems in Prince Albert. On Thursday, the 100 Women Who Care Prince Albert Division made a $10,000 donation towards River Valley Resilience Retreat (RVRR) located about 20 minutes south of the city near St. Louis.

Three different organizations provided pitches to 100 Women Who Care according to co-founder Patty Hughes. After a 15 minute presentation from the three groups, the 100 women took a vote.

“It is a difficult decision. Sometimes when the votes come in, they were literally from first, second, and third, like a two vote difference. So it can be very, very close. All the organizations are so worthwhile and it is such a difficult decision.” 

The $10,000 donations to RVRR will go a long way according to co-founder Michelle McKeaveney. She said costs can add up quickly for basic needs like food and transportation and for licensed professionals who provide services.

“We’re having more people, which means our groceries aren’t lasting as long. So that is our first thing, being able to stock up and support our people that are staying here on site. The extra part of the $10,000 helps us to be able to support somebody who doesn’t have the means to get themselves here, so we can send a gas card, we can help somebody with groceries in Melville if they’re stuck while they’re trying to drive here. It gives us an opportunity to support those that may not be able to necessarily do that for whatever reason on their own.” 

Located in a bluff of trees on the north edge of the South Saskatchewan River across from St. Louis, the RVRR has seen people come from as far as Ontario to use their services, sometimes to simply be around people with similar circumstances, and sometimes to escape from their own personal crisis. 

The RVRR offers a place where people who have experienced mental health or trauma issues due to their career. Veterans and first responders are welcome, but so are those in other careers like journalists or corrections workers.

“So we’ve had people from the Humboldt crash come there and just boondock it if you will, set up a camp or set up a tent, just crash there on the property. We encourage that wherever you find value on our property that you want to set up a tent for the night and just, you know, be okay by yourself if that’s your choice or be in the main house with our volunteer trained peer support trained staff.” 

The RVRR is a non-profit charity. As for 100 Women Who Care, the process for their next donation in June has already begun.

nick.nielsen@pattisonmedia.com