Inn from the Cold

On Thursday, volunteers from Inn from the Cold, HomeSpace Society, Miskanawah, ATB Financial, Ecclesiastical Insurance, Acera Insurance, and Reinbold Engineering Group spent the day transforming the Whitehorn Family Housing site. Using stencils replicating the art of Blackfoot artists Nugget Bull Bear and Alexis Bull Bear, volunteers painted the newly poured cement and asphalt — adding colour, culture, and warmth to the shared outdoor spaces that families are already calling home.

It was a big day, and every volunteer gave their time, energy, and creativity to help bring this space to life. Volunteers showed up ready to work — tracing, painting, lifting, and crouching over cement and asphalt for hours. Their commitment speaks to how deeply they connect with our mission and the families who live here.

Thanks to their effort, the outdoor spaces at Whitehorn now carry vibrant, meaningful designs that reflect culture, community, and care. The artwork is already being enjoyed by families, and it stands as a reminder that when people come together with purpose, they can create something lasting and full of heart.

The Whitehorn housing development includes 52 two‑ and three‑bedroom townhomes and onsite supports. Together, Inn from the Cold, HomeSpace and Miskanawah are building a community rooted in stability, culture, and belonging — and Thursday's volunteer effort brought that vision to life.

Meet our Volunteers of the Month: Brenda, Rita, Simon, Jayden, and Alisha! This incredible group started volunteering in 2024 — originally to help Simon and Jayden complete required volunteer hours — but it quickly turned into a monthly tradition they all look forward to.

“We did a couple of shifts, had so much fun, so began consistently doing a monthly shift.”

One of the biggest highlights has been watching the kids step into leadership roles during Dinner Service. “Seeing the kids on our crew take ownership and pride in their roles has been really rewarding.”

Their time at Inn from the Cold has shaped them as a team and as individuals. “If you allow them to lead they certainly can. We have grown together as a group and I am confident we will be life long friends because of this experience.”

To this amazing crew — thank you for the reliability, dedication, and kindness you bring to every shift. Your impact on the families we serve is felt every single month.

If you're looking at ways to give back to your community, visit https://innfromthecold.org/volunteer/

Families experiencing homelessness stay in shelter three times longer than individuals—and the impact on children is profound. Our Family Shelter helps change that.

Through rapid re‑housing, basic needs support, and strong community connections, 56% of families moved into stable housing upon exit, and 86% remained housed long‑term.

Every step toward stability helps families hold onto what matters most: their health, their safety, and each other.

To learn more about our programs and the difference we make visit innfromthecold.org

Today, our CEO Heather Morley joins Lana Bentley from the Women's Centre of Calgary and host Michelle James on Vibrant Communities Calgary - VCC "Let’s Talk Poverty" podcast to discuss the findings of the Unaddressed report and why local, gender-responsive housing solutions matter.

Hidden homelessness affects thousands of women, children, and gender diverse people in Calgary — yet many are never counted. Experiences like temporary accommodations, staying in unsafe relationships, sleeping in vehicles, or trading s*x for shelter are often missing from official data and overlooked in policy.

The Unaddressed Project grew out of a 2023 community conversation hosted by the Women's Centre and then-Federal Housing Advocate Marie-Josée Houle, where women and gender diverse people shared how current systems often fail to reflect their real experiences and needs.

Led by the Women's Centre in partnership with Inn from the Cold, YWCA Calgary, Vibrant Communities Calgary - VCC, Miskanawah and the Women's National Housing and Homelessness Network, this multi-year project is working to improve policies and systems so everyone has a safe place to call home.

Listen here: https://enoughforall.ca/podcasts/unaddressed-podcast

Happy International Friendship Day! 💐

Today we’re celebrating the community partnerships that help families at The INN feel supported, connected, and seen. We’re grateful for the organizations that walk alongside us—Prospect, Lifemark Centre for Work, Calgary Bridge Foundation for Youth, City of Calgary Recreation Programs, Calgary Central Public Library, Kids Up Front, Kindred Society, Calgary Farmyard, WINS, University of Calgary, Mount Royal University, HomeSpace, Siksika Support Centre Services, Miskanawah, CUPS, CCIS, and LanguageLine.

Your friendship strengthens every part of our work and helps families build brighter futures.

Read more in our latest blog: https://innfromthecold.org/friendship-in-action-how-community-partnerships-strengthen-families-at-the-inn/

Shelters do far more than provide a bed — and the numbers from our 2025–26 Report to Community tell the real story.

At Inn from the Cold, families in shelter received 91,584 meals, 918 food hampers, and support for 711 basic‑needs requests. That’s wrap‑around care: nutritious food, essentials, safety, and the stability families need to move forward.

Shelter is more than a place to sleep. It’s a foundation for hope, healing, and the next step toward home.

To learn more about our impact, visit innfromthecold.org

Our kitchen team volunteered at a small farm near Spruce Meadows — run by two retired men who grow thousands of pounds of produce every summer. They’ve donated fresh vegetables to us for years, and this was our chance to say thank you. 🪏

We harvested carrots, potatoes, and green beans that later became meals for families staying with us. Last year alone, this farm provided more than 3,500 lbs of fresh produce, and through our partnership with Brazel Construction, we received an additional 1,200 lbs of beef. 🥕

Fresh ingredients matter. They help us serve meals that feel like home — meals that ground families in routine, comfort, and dignity during a time when so much else feels uncertain. 🥔

This is community in action: generosity, gratitude, and good food shared with people who need it most. 🫛

We’re growing! After being recognized AGAIN as one of HRD Canada’s Best Places to Work 2026, we’re excited to welcome more exceptional people to our team. 🙌

If you’re passionate about supporting families experiencing housing instability and want to work in a collaborative, mission‑driven environment, we’d love to hear from you.

Explore current opportunities: innfromthecold.org/careers

We’re proud to share that Inn from the Cold has been named one of HRD Canada’s Best Places to Work 2026 — for the second year in a row. 🙌

This recognition reflects something we feel every day: the strength, compassion, and resilience of the people who make our mission possible. Our work is deeply human, and we’re committed to creating a workplace where staff feel safe, supported, and valued.

Thank you to our incredible team for bringing care, courage, and heart to families facing crisis. This honour belongs to you.

Learn more at https://innfromthecold.org/inn-from-the-cold-named-one-of-hrd-canadas-best-places-to-work-2026-again/