We know it's June and a heat wave is coming but ACCHS is already prepping for our mat program this coming winter. Donating through our crowd funding campaign allows us to receive matching donations from the Alberta government, doubling your donation impact!
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.
ACCHS is pleased to announce that we have been successful in securing a generous grant from the Rural Development Network. This grant will make our mat program possible again this year. The monies from the grant will be primarily used to hire and adequately train staff to operate the mat program. However, we are still looking for donations from the public to fund other important elements including some of the operational costs of running the program (rent, utilities, etc.) Donations will also be used to purchase the following items:
-bedding
-sanitary supplies
-hygiene products
-warm clothing
-food
-other basic necessaites
Thank you for your generosity, your donation will go a long way in making life just a little better for unsheltered people in our area this winter.
Thank you!
