Helping families overcome obstacles is challenging. Each family’s unique circumstances affect each child and adult differently as well as the family overall. Families come in all sizes and types, which also adds to the complexity in needs. This understanding informs our approach; by working with each family to customize a plan that addresses the family’s various needs, while building the skills needed for long-term stability, wellbeing and resilience. In recognition of the diversity of the families we serve, Inn from the Cold also strives to apply a culturally diverse lens and Indigenous worldview to the supports we provide.
Through our programs we focus on the wellness of children, youth, and families to break the cycle of homelessness. Trauma caused by family poverty, conflict, breakdown and abuse are not only contributing factors to child and youth homelessness — but also childhood homelessness itself has been linked as a pathway to chronic and multi-generational homelessness.
For these reasons, supporting the mental, social, and physical wellbeing of families and their children is a priority at Inn from the Cold. We believe we must invest in families with the appropriate programs and supports to lift the most vulnerable out of poverty and housing instability and break the cycle of family homelessness.