CALGARY – Calgary’s largest homeless shelter for families says donations are down at a time when the need is at its greatest.
The shelter has been at capacity for months; the Calgary Homeless Foundation says it’s because families from outside Calgary are moving to the city searching for opportunities.
“Now instead of seeing families from Calgary, we’re starting to see families fleeing aboriginal communities from around the city, like Hobbema, coming to Calgary, as well as families that are immigrants to Canada,” says Tim Richter.
Families like Tracey Rowan and her three-year-old son who left Hobbema to escape the growing violence in the community.
“I grew up without a mom and dad, I grew up with my grandma, so I’m trying to make everything better for being a parent.”
“Growing up in Hobbema isn’t how I wanted him to grow up.”
Rowan has just recently secured affordable housing for her and her son. She hasn’t found work yet, spending an hour a day on transit bussing her son to pre-school, which she says is her priority right now.
Her support workers say it’s a side of homelessness people don’t often see – a mother doing her best.
“She had a few unlucky situations, basically a landlord pulling out on her which isn’t fair, but instead of getting down about it, she decided – ah, I’ll find another one,” says Nicole Ritchie.
Calgarians can help families like the Rowan’s by contacting Inn from the Cold or the Women’s Centre Calgary.
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