I Want To Refer Someone

A Referral is Not Required to Access Our Services.

Individuals can contact us directly, walk in during available service hours, or connect with us through another service provider, family member, friend or community support.

However, when another agency or service provider is helping someone connect with us, sharing some basic information can be helpful. It allows our team to better understand the person's circumstances, identify what supports may be appropriate, and reduce the need for the individual to repeat their story unnecessarily.

Before You Refer Someone

Cold Lake John Howard Society provides low-barrier support to adults who are experiencing, or are at risk of experiencing, homelessness, housing insecurity, poverty and related barriers to safety and stability.

Our services include emergency shelter, basic needs supports, community meals, system navigation, identification assistance, health and recovery supports, and legal system advocacy and navigation.

A referral does not guarantee that a specific service will be available or appropriate. Our team will work with the individual to understand their needs and determine what support we can provide.

Service Eligibility

Cold Lake John Howard Society primarily provides services to adults experiencing or at risk of homelessness, housing insecurity, poverty and related barriers.

We are not able to provide emergency shelter or ongoing residential support for children, youth or families with dependent children.

If you are unsure whether one of our services may still be appropriate, please contact our team.

Whenever possible, start by asking the person what they would like help with.

Someone may need emergency shelter, a meal, identification, help navigating systems, support accessing health or recovery services, assistance with housing or income, or simply help figuring out where to start.

Understanding what the person is asking for helps us determine which Cold Lake John Howard service, or another community resource, may be the best fit for them.

Cold Lake John Howard Society provides community-based homelessness and housing supports. We are not a hospital, continuing-care facility, detoxification centre, residential treatment program or staffed medical-care setting.

Some individuals may require a level of medical, personal or residential care that our programs are not equipped to safely provide.

This does not necessarily mean the person cannot access any CLJHS support. It may mean that a particular program, such as emergency shelter, is not appropriate for their current needs.

If you are unsure, please contact us before sending the person to our site.

Not Sure Whether Someone Is Eligible?

You do not need to determine this alone.

If you are unsure whether Cold Lake John Howard Society is the right fit, contact our team before sending someone to the shelter or another program. We can talk through the person's circumstances, explain what our programs can and cannot provide, and help identify an appropriate next step where possible.

Knowing about someone before they arrive can help us prepare. However, we do not require referrals in order to provide services to community members.

Looking To Support Someone?

If someone you know is experiencing housing insecurity, homelessness, or struggling to meet their basic needs, you do not have to have all the answers before reaching out.

You can encourage them to connect with Cold Lake John Howard Society directly, help them contact our team, or reach out yourself to learn more about available supports. A formal referral is not required.

Whenever possible, involve the person in the conversation and ask what kind of support they would like. Housing instability can come with a loss of privacy and control, so supporting someone's choices and helping them identify their own priorities can make a meaningful difference.

Learn More About Homelessness