Downtown Calgary during a winter night. (Photo credits - Ryan Hunt)
Environment Canada has issued extreme cold warnings through out southern Alberta with the average temperature being minus 30 degrees with wind chills making it feel like minus 40 degrees.
Because of the high risk of frostbite, Environment Canada is encouraging Albertans to stay indoors as much as possible.
In the city of Calgary however, there are approximately 2,700 people in the city experiencing homelessness and are at high risk of exposure to the extreme cold facing the province.
To ensure everyone has a safe warm place to go, the City of Calgary, Calgary Homeless Foundation and other organization are working together to help those who need it.
CJWE spoke with the Vice President of Strategic Investments and Community Impact at the Calgary Homeless Foundation about how each organization is working hard to ensure everyone as a safe and warm place to go.
While public transit stations are often used as shelter, they often lack the basic needs of water and basic sanitation facialists like washrooms while also being exposed to the elements.
This is why Calgary Transit officials and street teams of various organizations are working together help transport people to emergency shelters with designated shuttles.
Calgary Salvation Army will be various transit locations with heating stations through out the day.
More information about the heating stations can be found on their website.
Calgarians who are wanting to lead a head are encouraged to reach out to one of the various agencies in the city but, are asked that if they see anyone in distress to call 9-1-1.
For a full list of recourses and agencies in the Calgary area visit the Calgary Homeless Foundation’s website.
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