Portage Social Work students plan cold outdoor night out to raise money for men's shelter

To help Out of the Elements, three Por tage College students are going out in the elements.
Social work students Adam Stockdale, Busi Phuthi and Robyn Parker are going to stage a one-day fundraiser for the Out of the Elements Men's Shelter this Sunday (March 15), staying in a small, rough camp outside the college doors from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m.
The event is called Freezin' for a Reason
The night in the cold is an attempt to raise money and awareness for the non-profit society.

"It's not what it could be or what it should be, and I think a lot of people don't know that," said Stockdale. "It's good that there is something, that there is a men's shelter, but it needs to be improved."

Stockdale said a similar event took place last year, and they wanted to turn it into a tradition. He said the shelter, currently operating out of the New Life Victory Church, could use the support.
"A lot of people don't know how small it is or how underfunded it is," Stockdale said. "As is, they'll be putting six or seven guys into a pretty small group. They're just about cuddling in there. The cots are laid side to side."

The shelter is currently trying to expand, but a bid to move to a building on the same block as Dr. Swift Middle School, which is closing after this year, is currently in the appeal process, with an appeal hearing scheduled March 13.

Local residents had expressed concern during an October 2013 meeting that the shelter might act as a "nucleus for riff-raff." Shelter management did not reply to requests for comment.

"It's a little silly to think that there are little sections of Lac La Biche that are going to be safer than others," Stockdale said. "If anything, giving these people a place to sleep and somewhere to get off the streets is going to do more good for things like crime and trouble... than anything else."
The group's plan for dealing with cold temperatures is to bundle up and light a small fire, still a fearsome concept in the north.

"It makes you think, what are the homeless in Lac La Biche doing to keep warm at night?" Stockdale asked. "It's a scary issue that's present here that might not be present in other places."

Anyone wishing to donate to the cause can stop by the college on March 17. The campout fundraiser is expected to be set up near the front entrance to the college.

People interested in helping out can also contact participants directly at [email protected] or calling 404-1763.