We are a hub for many different preventative services and supports that teach new skills, educate and offer holistic help to build healthy families.In collaboration with many other community agencies, we provide the wrap-around services our guests need to rebuild their lives and create bright futures.
Our Family Support team will work with families for as long as they need it, both while at the Inn and once they live in the community. These vital relationships ensure our families receive the best help available and prevent a duplication of services between agencies.
Reaching Out to Families in Need
Our Family Support program offers our guests the support they need, no matter where there are in their journey out of homelessness. When a family comes to the Inn seeking help, they are assigned to a caring, compassionate family support worker who provides internal assistance while families are at the shelter, as well as when they move into the community, including:
1. Intake and Assessment
When a family arrives at the Inn, they are assigned a Family Support Worker within the first 48 hrs onsite. An in-depth intake session occurs where the Family Support Worker assesses the family's situation and provides an overview of the rules and guidelines of the shelter. The family’s history is gathered and a service plan, prevention strategies and goals are developed with the family.
Housing referrals and applications are completed between the Family Support Worker and the family (i.e. Treaty 7 Urban Indian Housing, Rapid Exit, Métis Urban Housing and Calgary Housing Company). The family receives information on how to look for housing independently (i.e. what questions to ask landlords, how to use a rent report, etc.). Children's needs are identified (i.e. school, day care, etc.), and crisis intervention occurs, if needed.
2. Referrals & Resource Education
Throughout a family's stay at the shelter, they receive referrals to appropriate community programs to help them in transitioning from homelessness to housing. These referrals include but are not limited to; clothing, counselling, immigration services, life skills classes, employment programs, child care respite, treatment programs, mental health support, food, parenting, etc. Families are also educated on the various community resources available to them to help them move forward.
3. Advocacy
The Inn will provide support and a voice to families dealing with issues related to the legal/justice system addiction, addiction, mental health issues, and child and family services. This can include assisting in landlord liaison roles and providing advice on obtaining income through Alberta Employment and Immigration Industry.
Families also receive support with immigration issues/barriers (i.e. families w/ no status, facing audiences with immigration, how to obtain and apply for a work permit, families arriving directly from another country, etc.). Translation support is also available.
4. Basic Need Support
Inn from the Cold provides help with the following:
• Assistance with applications
• Phone Cards
• Bus Tickets for employment or meetings
• Baby formula & diapers
• Hygiene products
• Backpacks for children for school
• Assistance for six months of lunch room supervision fees for children who attend the Inn’s partner school (CN Gunn Elementary School)
5. In-Shelter Support
Families also receive on-going support while staying at the Emergency Family Shelter. This can include daily informal and formal follow-up, administrative follow-up (i.e family files are kept to assist families in their goals), wrap-around services with other community professionals involved in the families lives, assistance with obtaining identification and basic life skills support (i.e. how to do a budget, etc.).
