In the mid 1980s, women’s shelters in the province of Manitoba began to work together to provide support, reduce the isolation of shelter directors, and stop the competition between shelters for funding dollars. The organization evolved, and was incorporated in 1991 as The Manitoba Association of Women’s Shelters. Membership includes nine provincially funded women’s shelters as well as several affiliate members working on the area of family violence. MAWS was created to provide: support to member shelters; increased negotiating abilities with funders; shared information and resources; increased public awareness, training of staff and improved services for clients.