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A choice to seek shelter from many storms

Lac La Biche shelter has resources and support available for those who want it

“Imagine us living as we do currently, and being asked to go stay at a camp. We would say, ‘Ummm no.’  Well for them, the camp is home, and what they know"

             - Lakeland Out of the Elements executive director Skylar Harpe 

Their clients are like family, and that family connection is helping to keep many of the people served by the Lakeland Out of the Elements Shelter safe and healthy this winter.

But like a family, the dynamics can sometimes be challenging. This week, the shelter’s executive director offered some insights and a ‘behind the scenes’ glimpse of operating the shelter during a pandemic and multiple days of extreme winter weather.

To start, sheltering the homeless, providing them with food and clothing or additional services is not as simple as it may seem, says Skylar Harpe.

The last two weeks are an example of the planning, partnerships, care, and patience that go into the process.  Understanding is a big part of it as well, Harpe tells LakelandToday, as even after more than a week of frigid temperatures and the continuing concerns over the spread of the coronavirus, some people still choose to stay at a downtown “tent city” encampment instead of emergency-stay hotel rooms or at the shelter. Harpe accepts that. She has the supports ready for them — but she accepts that it is up to them.

“My  team and I at the shelter know our clients well, we work like a family network. I understand completely if someone were to choose to stay at the camp versus the shelter or the rooms because it’s their lifestyle,” she said, explaining that all the resources are available for when a person needs it. “That does not mean we leave them to fend for themselves. Their help is ready from us, and when they take the offer, we will accommodate.”

When asked why people choose to stay outdoors when there are other options, Harpe says it’s part of a lifestyle where some find comfort. Those who can’t understand it haven’t had to walk those paths, she said.

“Imagine us living as we do currently, and being asked to go stay at a camp. We would say, ‘Ummm no.’ Well for them, the camp is home, and what they know, and we are offering for them to leave that. It’s hard,” she said, explaining further. “I cannot change someone’s lifestyle. I can offer the help and supports in regards to outreach work and networking. We will always be there for that support, and when someone is ready for those next steps, say if it’s treatment or detox, we are there for them and supporting those steps.’

Community help

In recent weeks, Harpe says she hasn’t been alone in providing those steps. Support from individuals, groups and the municipality have helped the shelter and its clients weather the storm both figuratively and literally.

“Help from the public is always appreciated when it comes directly to or through us. We had support with receiving a blanket donation … and also some were handed out to others who needed,” she said. “We received a donation of sleeping bags which we have ready and have been distributing as needed. We have received clothing donations and so much help and support with food and accommodations which have helped the most through this last month.”

Hygiene products and personal items have also been collected and distributed to the shelter, hotel rooms and the camp when needed.

In contact

For those still staying outside or at the camp, Harpe said municipal peace officers have been doing regular patrols, and serve as a link between the shelter’s resources and the camp.

“Peace officers have been working hand in hand with us in regards to some of the people we don’t see either at the shelter or in rooms…The peace officers have been doing wellness checks regularly and updating us with who is, or is not, there and also passing on messages to us directly from the camp,” she said, adding that some clients have their own cell phones and keep in contact with shelter staff and community supports. “We also have personal contact for some of our clients via cell phone and we will check in on the ones we can and they will reach out when needed.”

The recent focus on the “tent city camp,” the shelter and the community’s vulnerable has helped to draw awareness to the situation and to the supports offered through the community and the Lakeland Out of the Elements Shelter.

As of last Friday, Harpe says the shelter can accommodate up to six clients, and emergency hotel-stay arrangements have been made for an additional 8-10 people. Harpe says that at any given time there can be between half a dozen to a dozen people at the outdoor camp.

While there is a need, the shelter and its supporters will continue to do work that is a life-link for some, a waiting safety net for others, and unknown by most.

“We are always in the works behind the scenes,” she said.


Rob McKinley

About the Author: Rob McKinley

Rob has been in the media, marketing and promotion business for 30 years, working in the public sector, as well as media outlets in major metropolitan markets, smaller rural communities and Indigenous-focused settings.
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