Inn From The Cold began when a community concerned for the growing number of people facing homelessness during the bitterly cold winter of 1996 – 1997. Volunteers from several local churches met to discuss how they could help and what could be done to help those that had nowhere else to go. On May 2, 1997, St. Stephen’s Anglican Church opened its doors to provide shelter and hope to Calgary’s homeless families and others in need. In October 2008, Inn from the Cold opened Calgary’s first Emergency Family Shelter, located in the heart of the Beltline community and today, families stay in their downtown shelter and in our Community Inns, both of which operate with the help of over 2,700 committed volunteers.
With the 365 days a year service, it goes without saying that the Inn takes its fair share of abuse and wear and tear. So, when the generous folks from the Home Depot Foundation offered to give the Inn a facelift, such a touching gesture could not go unnoticed.
Inn from the Cold and The Home Depot Canada Foundation’s associate-led volunteer force, Team Depot, join forces to complete a large-scale renovation project that will help provide safe and stable housing, life skills education and employment services for Calgary-based homeless youth.
From Sept. 29-Oct. 1, Team Depot volunteers from Calgary and area partnered up to renovate Inn from the Cold, located at #106, 110-11 Avenue SE, Calgary, Alberta. During these three days, fresh paint was put up, bathrooms renovated, and where once were baby gates acting as room doors, were now custom made doors that both give privacy while keeping the little ones safe. Beautifully painted and redesigned common areas were one of the larger additions and the many new storage cupboards and cabinets were a welcome feature.
Working alongside youth from the area, Team Depot, the Foundation’s associate-led volunteer force, will renovate Inn from the Cold’s shelter living spaces to be more family-friendly and child-safe. These projects will create a fresh and inspiring environment, where homeless families and youth can receive the supportive services needed to transition into healthy, secure adulthood.
“We are thankful to The Home Depot Canada Team Depot volunteers,” said Linda McLean, Executive Director, Inn from the Cold. “With demand for our services at an all-time high in our 18-year history, our resources are strained. To be able to offer our guests an environment that is more safe and welcoming, is key to their healing process.”
As part of the Foundation’s three-year, $10-million pledge to help end youth homelessness in Canada, Team Depot volunteers partner with local youth-serving organizations throughout the month of September, taking on more than 100 renovation projects across the country. Projects such as installing a new kitchen, painting and refreshing common living areas and planting gardens and green spaces help these facilities feel more like home, and supports local youth-serving organizations as they provide much-needed life skills development and job training for homeless youth.
“Giving back is a core value at The Home Depot Canada and a passion of our associates,” said Bill Lennie, chair, board of directors, The Home Depot Canada Foundation and president, The Home Depot Canada. “We are committed to helping end youth homelessness in Canada and the contributions of our Team Depot volunteers make a substantial and lasting change for homeless youth in Canada.”
