Happy New Year to you! We are so honoured and appreciative for all the support that we have received so far, thanks to the many businesses, organizations and individuals that have stepped up to help us get our start. We are taking that positive energy into 2022!
This support has included a Facebook auction that blew our expectations out of the water. In total, we raised over $3400. We have used a portion of the funds raised to build some emergency backpacks to give to folks who find themselves without shelter.
We've also been providing some necessities to previously unhoused folks who are staying at a residence in Athabasca. The residence is not the best and the situation is not the safest, but it has been a place for a few people to go during this really cold weather.
That brings us to our main goal for 2022: making sure that there is safe and appropriate emergency/temporary shelter for unhoused folks in Athabasca before the next winter.
We have been in contact with a number of other rural municipalities to find out what is working or not working for them. We have been in conversation with members of government, both on the provincial and municipal levels. We have or will be presenting to religious and service organizations and Town Council. We have some ideas and are working on how to make them happen.
We also want to know more from the people we want to help, so will be planning outreach to them very soon. It's important to us that the solutions we provide are appropriate for them and meet their individual needs.
It's going to be a busy spring, but we need to take action to help our unhoused citizens get the safe shelter they need. Stay tuned...
- The ACCHS Board of Directors
A possible solution: tiny homes!
Tiny home villages are springing up all over North America as a solution to homelessness. As with any possibility, there are pros and cons, but we feel that it's worth taking a look at.
Pros
Modular so can build as many as needed at the time and add more later
Can be moved to a different location
Residents have privacy
Residents build a sense of home and self-esteem
Builds community
Relatively affordable
Cons
Would need to be hooked up to sewer or have bathroom facilities close by
Heating in severe weather
Finding an appropriate location
Would still need to be at least minimally staffed (which is the biggest cost and the hardest to find funds for)
We are in the process of finding out more from a closeby tiny home village which we will be visiting soon. If we get permission from the residents we will post some media.
Big Thanks to Aly's Cycle!
Aly Bendall owns and operates Aly's Cycle, which provides fun and challenging cycle fitness classes at the Multiplex. Over the past two weeks, Aly donated the proceeds from her spin classes. In total, Aly raised $492.00! Wow!
Thanks to Aly and all of her clients. Your donation is most appreciated!
We are sad that Director Jessie Jones is leaving us, as she is continuing her studies and doesn't have the spare time. Best of luck, Jessie!
That leaves us with a space to fill on our Board.
If you are passionate about ending homelessness in Athabasca, have a couple of hours to spare each week (we're a working board and there is a lot to do) and have skills to share, we would love to hear from you! Please email athabascacares@gmail.com for more information.
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