Officials with Rocky’s cold weather warming shelter have announced that it will now be open every night throughout the winter.
The shelter, located at the Lord’s Food Bank in Rocky, is the latest effort to provide a warming space for vulnerable individuals in the community.
A delegation appearing before Clearwater County council on Jan. 14, announced that it has successfully secured $20,000 in funding from the provincial government. It has also secured assistance from the Town of Rocky Mountain House when temperatures dip below -20°C.
The delegation has requested assistance from Clearwater County between $8000 and $17,000.
A previous initiative offered a warming space where vulnerable populations could “come and go,” says Kandis Stradecki, interim chairperson of the Clearwater Regional Housing Foundation (CRHF). While there are certain costs involved to keep a shelter open, Stradecki emphasized the societal cost of not having such a facility when temperatures get really cold.
She pointed to past cases in Rocky where vulnerable individuals suffered frostbite and were required to be hospitalized.
Councillor Genny Mehlhaff said the cost to government is at least $10,000 every time someone walks through a hospital door to be treated.
David Mark Carter, executive director of the Lord’s Food Bank, pointed to a recent incident before the shelter was open, where he took it upon himself to aid a vulnerable resident and transport her to the hospital.
The funds will be used for staffing, food, first aid supplies, toiletries, and other essentials. Stradecki also highlighted the critical role volunteers play in making the project a success.
“The people who are accessing this shelter are still part of our community. Every person has a story,” Stradecki says. “We’re just here to offer a respite.”
Stradecki added that many organizations, including CRHF, the Lord’s Food Bank, the Rocky Library, the Mountain Rose Centre, the Asokewin Friendship Centre, local churches, and other community groups, have worked together to make the shelter a reality.
Additionally, the Rocky Organization for Animal Rescue Society (ROAR) has come on board to help those with pets.
For more information or to volunteer, call 403-845-5339 or email Lindsay at lhunt@mrwsa.net.
Stradecki says the shelter sees around 18 individuals who seek shelter on a regular basis, and around 30 other who come and go.
The shelter, located at the Lord’s Food Bank along 52 St. in Rocky, will be open from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. nightly throughout the winter.
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