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COVID-19 Update: Inn from the Cold’s operations

By 14 May 2020News

Accepting new families who require assistance

Protecting people remains Inn from the Cold’s top priority during the pandemic.

IFTC is accepting families who require emergency shelter. To enable physical distancing, families are placed temporarily in available apartments in the community as part of our scatter-site shelter operations. Families are housed in the emergency shelter at our downtown location only if space is available; our communal shelter has two main washrooms, so capacity is being kept at two families to ensure physical distancing is possible. We are also able to provide information regarding resources and supports.

Families who need assistance can call IFTC at 403 263 8384 or email info@innfromthecold.org for more information.

Please note that any voice messages are returned within three hours. Email is best for non-urgent inquiries and will be returned within 24 hours.

Providing emergency shelter to families who are facing homelessness

In March Inn from the Cold relocated all but two shelter families into temporary apartments in the community. In this scatter-site model for community shelter, each family lives in its own apartment and receives food and supply hampers from IFTC several times a week. These shelter families have been equipped with their own computers to support home schooling, job searching, and house hunting. IFTC case managers connect with the families regularly, providing guidance and helping to develop and adjust plans to help the families get back on their feet.

Most families, whether they are living in the downtown shelter or temporary apartments in the community, have been able to move into permanent housing within 30 days.

Receiving donated items-in-kind

Inn from the Cold is accepting donated food, personal protective equipment, cleaning supplies, holiday treats, and specific items for families during the pandemic.

Anyone interested in donating items should call 403 999 7452 or email donate@innfromthecold.org to discuss IFTC current needs and to arrange delivery of any needed donated items. Messages will be returned within 24 hours or the next business day.

Please note that we’re unable to accept unsolicited donations at our downtown building.

People who’d like to support Inn from the Cold can also donate funds online. IFTC will apply these donations to the IFTC Family Support Program, which includes safe emergency shelter, food, clothing, toiletries, footwear, prenatal supplies, early childhood development programming, and social supports.

Offering volunteer opportunities at Inn from the Cold 

Inn from the Cold is accepting applications from people who are interested in remote volunteer positions. Those roles include translating and producing how-to-videos on a range of subjects.

See the volunteer section for more information or email volunteer@innfromthecold.org with specific questions.

Please note that all volunteer opportunities at our downtown location remain suspended until further notice.

Hosting in-person events this summer

Inn from the Cold is not hosting in-person events until further notice, including the annual lobster BBQ with Marriott International that usually runs in June.

Any inquiries about IFTC marketing and fundraising events can be directed to events@innfromthecold.org

Emails will be returned within 24 hours or the next business day.

Receiving visitors at Inn from the Cold’s downtown location

We are unable to accept any visitors at 110 – 11th Avenue SE.