Women's shelter received donation just in time for Christmas

LAC LA BICHE - Hope Haven Women’s Shelter in Lac La Biche has received a $28,200 donation from Canadian Natural Resources Limited (CNRL), which will be part of a holiday gift for clients of the shelter and the many recipients of programming it offers. 

Christmas can be a stressful time for parents who are having financial difficulties or for anyone who is trying to get away from an abusive situation, says Melissa Green, the executive director for the shelter. The donation from Canadian Natural will help support clients through the holiday season.

“So, we will use this for our in-house clients, our outreach clients, all of our clients that we have on the reserves and settlements, so we can help those who really need it this time of year,” said Green. 

Already a time when stress levels can rise, the 2020 Christmas season has been made even more difficult because of COVID-19, with people losing their jobs, and having to quarantine, and Green says they have been getting more calls than normal. The increase has created new challenges related to the COVID-19 pandemic measures for social distancing and gathering spaces. Green says the new measures are in place for clients staying at the shelter’s residences and in off-site programming. It’s a balancing act to keep stress levels down as they follow pandemic protocols while trying to assist families already dealing with stressful situations. 

Green says the new pandemic challenges only emphasize the overall goal to keep clients safe.

“Especially with the pandemic, we will have a lot of families in need that are struggling right now. We have seen our numbers increase, and it’s really hard when you keep getting those calls, because people are in need, so you want to bring in everyone you can,” said Green. “We’re trying to do what we can to keep everyone safe.

Food bank gets Christmas help

Lac La Biche’s Waskaysoo Food Bank has also received a similar $28,200 donation from Canadian Natural Resources Ltd. Chris Best, the resource company’s local stakeholder relations advisor, says his employer has been working with both the food bank and the women’s shelter for quite some time, and corporate officials are happy to support organizations that give back to their communities.

“It’s been a tough year with COVID… we really appreciate the work that Hope Haven and the Waskaysoo Food Bank does. They do important and often invisible work,” said Best.

Food hampers list

Waskayoo staff are working with the Metis Nation of Alberta Region 1 on this year’s Christmas Food Hamper drive. Food bank staff are still taking names for their own list of recipients and advising anyone with a MNA card to contact the MNA office in Lac La Biche.The food bank office can be reached through the Lac La Biche Canadian Native Friendship Centre at 780-623-3249. The MNA Region 1 office can be reached at 780-623-3039.

Hope Haven has a 24/7 crisis line for both men and women at 780-623-3100. The food bank can be reached through the Lac La Biche Canadian Native Friendship Centre at 780-623-3149