Dear Stakeholder
ACCHS is pleased to announce that we have been successful in securing a generous grant from the Rural Development Network!
This grant will make an overnight mat program possible this winter in Athabasca! The monies from the grant will be primarily used to hire and adequately train staff to operate the mat program.
What is a mat program?
A program that exists primarily to protect people from the elements – usually during (but not limited to) the winter months when temperatures drop to the point of being extremely dangerous to human survival – are often called mat programs. This is because the most minimal form of this type of program consists of a room in a building with mats on a floor where people can sleep for the night and stay warm, supervised by local social agency staff or community volunteers.
The key aspect that distinguishes mat programs from more established emergency shelters is their temporary nature, as they generally exist to fill a gap in community services and shelter options.
The mat program will NOT operate out of our property on mainstreet. Rather, a generous individual has donated a space for the program to run this winter.
How can you help?
We are looking for donations from the public to fund other important elements of the program including purchasing the following items:
-bedding
-sanitary supplies
-hygiene products
-warm clothing (mittens, toques, etc.)
-food
-other basic necessaites
You can donate at our Crowdfunding Campaign or directly to us via E-transfer to athabascacares@gmail.com
