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Emergency Shelter

The Mat Program is a crucial resource for Cold Lake’s most vulnerable, offering nightly emergency shelter for individuals who have nowhere else to turn. Each evening, guests are welcomed into a supportive and inclusive environment where they can receive a hot meal, access a bed with a blanket, and obtain warm, dry clothing. This simple yet essential support provides not only physical warmth and safety but also a sense of dignity and humanity.​

Our Hours

With consistent, year-round funding, we’ve been able to expand our services beyond emergency shelter. Guests now have access to warm showers and laundry facilities, offering the comfort of personal hygiene, which is often inaccessible for those experiencing homelessness. Our shelter has become a vital refuge from the elements, a place where individuals can step out of the cold, take care of themselves, and feel part of a caring community.

7 pm - 7 am Every Night

Our shelter serves individuals from Cold Lake, Bonnyville, and surrounding areas, including those referred by local healthcare providers, social services, and law enforcement. We frequently assist individuals released from hospitals, rehabilitation centers, or the RCMP who have no residence to return to, offering them a critical safety net during difficult transitions.

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In recent months, we’ve seen an increase in guests with complex needs, including seniors, individuals experiencing mental health challenges, and those dealing with substance use. Our team is trained to provide compassionate, nonjudgmental care and to connect guests with additional resources for health, housing, and recovery.

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The shelter is not just a temporary solution—it’s a stepping stone to stability. For many, it serves as an entry point to our broader services, such as outreach, advocacy, and referrals to treatment programs or housing assistance.

We are committed to ensuring that no one in our community is left without a safe place to turn. Our Emergency Shelter is more than a service—it’s a vital part of our mission to provide hope, dignity, and support to those in need.

". . . I previously stayed at Cold Lake John Howard, the ladies and gentlemen who worked there treated me so good and treat everyone with respected. Now I have a home and a job but they took care of me and I am very thankful "

- Previous Client 

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Cold Lake John Howard Society acknowledges that we operate on Treaty 6 Territory, a traditional gathering place for diverse Indigenous peoples including the Cree, Blackfoot, Métis, Nakota Sioux, Iroquois, Dene, Ojibway/Saulteaux/ Anishinaabe, and Inuit. We respect the histories, languages, and cultures of First Nations, Métis, Inuit, and all First Peoples of Canada who enrich our community. We continue to explore our relationship to the land and reflect on what it means to be Treaty people.

 

We are dedicated to addressing Indigenous homelessness through our partnerships which benefit Indigenous clients, as well as clients facing barriers due to their ethnicity, gender, and sexuality.

 

There is much work to be done to close these gaps and move towards reconciliation. We are committed to providing support and resources to ensure that everyone in our city has a safe place to call home.

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