Protecting our shelter and housing families, and the employees and volunteers supporting them, remains Inn from the Cold’s top priority during this pandemic.
That’s why we’re collaborating with community partners like HomeSpace Society and innovating our operations to house our shelter families in available apartments in the Calgary region.
Under normal operations, we have space for 20 families in our communal family shelter. This emergency shelter does not allow us to protect families in a way that living in their own home would.
Effective immediately, Inn from the Cold is transitioning to operate a scatter-site emergency shelter during the pandemic, ensuring families are sheltered and housed in safe, private spaces where physical distancing can be ensured. Our employees will provide food, household supplies, along with regular practical and emotional support. This model of shelter operations will remain in effect for the next six months or as long as needed.
While COVID-19 remains a concern, we will rely on our partner network to place Calgary families needing emergency shelter in facilities that best support social distancing guidelines and any isolation requirements.
What these changes mean to employees and volunteers providing services to shelter families
- IFTC has temporarily suspended volunteer support in our shelter building
- IFTC’s offsite commercial kitchen has started providing food hampers for the relocated shelter families
- Employees and community volunteers will deliver food hampers to the relocated shelter families
- Employees providing services to our scatter site shelter and housing families and the remaining families in our emergency shelter are following the latest guidelines from Alberta Health Services
How Calgarians can help us help the city’s most vulnerable families
Inn from the Cold is working with the provincial government and the United Way to access emergency funding. We also are relying on our existing resources. This support will help with some of our current operating needs to support this community model of shelter operations while COVID-19 remains a concern.
However, we expect the evolving pressures of COVID-19 will result in an increase in the number of vulnerable Calgary families who will need either emergency shelter, housing or social services in the coming months.
Supporters from the community can help Inn from the Cold by donating funds online.
Please note that we’re unable to accept donated items at Inn from the Cold’s downtown Calgary building until further notice.
