Mobile Warming Stations are Transforming Extreme Weather Aid

As Canada deals with a blast of frigid temperatures, Salvation Army warming centres work hard to ensure high priority populations can remain safe and warm.

The Salvation Army in Calgary offers a unique program called the Mobile Warming Stations that can help more people across the city escape the bitter cold. Two pop-up tents with heaters are set up at Light-rail transit (LRT) stations to provide warmth, food, winter gear, and connection.

Gloria, a frequent visitor of the mobile stations, shares how this program has helped her.

“They provide resources such as warm clothing and food when it is -30 C. They go out of their way to help when it’s cold.”

“They provide resources such as warm clothing and food when it is -30 C. They go out of their way to help when it’s cold. They offer prayers when going through grief, and homelessness is a form of grief. Their support has been a stepping stone to lifting my spirits.”

The mobile warming shelters operate from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. every day. Kevin Mack, coordinator of the program, highlights the commitment of his teams to ensure they can help as many people as possible.

Mobile warming centres are set up to help high priority populations to help escape the bitter cold

“We are outside seven days a week, including stat holidays. We set up two locations. We are at each location for a couple of hours. We visit about half a dozen LRT stations and try to target the ones where we have the most traffic,” Kevin said.

The mobility of the warming stations allows the teams to have flexibility on where to go depending on demand.

Now that this program is in its second year, more people are aware of the warming stations compared to last year. The trust and presence built since, allows many clients to feel comfortable opening up to the staff and building relationships. One of the focuses this year for the shelter teams is to guide clients through housing resources.

“Calgary has a central housing list for those who need social housing. This year, we can help people get on that list, walking them through that process,” Kevin added.

Some other innovations this year are new tents and a new heating system. They are also welcoming volunteers, to help staff the stations.

“Calgary has a central housing list for those who need social housing. This year, we can help people get on that list, walking them through that process.”

Salvation Army staff heat the mobile warming station

This program can be life saving for some. Just last week, Kevin explained that they encountered a client with no coat and only wearing slippers in -40 C windchill. The station’s staff took her in, let her stay for as long as she needed, gave her winter gear, and later transported her to the hospital as she was not feeling well. Their actions may have saved her life.

Frequently, the mobile station’s staff run into similar situations. It proves to them the impact their work can have.

“There have been a few times where folks have come to us teary-eyed to shake our hands, and thank us for just being here and listening,” Kevin said.

Their work has not gone unnoticed in the community. Last year, the mobile shelters raised hundreds of dollars in donations from people passing by.

Financial contributions are always appreciated to help run the mobile stations. Winter gear donations are also appreciated.

Looking ahead, Kevin says they hope to add a few more teams to the program to increase their impact and presence.

By Juan Romero