Empowering Change Through Giving A Hand Up
How We Help
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How We Help *
Christmas Feast
Baby It's Cold Outside's most exciting and well-known services is our annual Christmas Feast. Supported by fundraising events we hold throughout the year, as well as direct contributions from community partners wishing to spread holiday cheer and "anonymous angel" donations from individuals, we provide Christmas dinners for families in the Lethbridge and Foothills area in need of a hand-up during the Christmas season.
Families in need are either self-nominated or nominated by members of their community. We also have an adopt-a-family program for those who'd like to give that way. Donations are collected from anyone willing to contribute, and recipients are contacted to determine a menu tailored specially to their families with small gifts from Santa.
Near Christmas Eve, all the ingredients for a Christmas feast are delivered to the family so that they can make Christmas dinner together and feel the warmth of the season along with the support of their community.
Application Program is now CLOSED for 2024.
Questions or inquiries for volunteering can be sent to admin@babyitscoldoutsidecharity.com
Mental Health Support
Mental health has always been important to Baby it’s Cold Outside, but the Covid-19 pandemic brought our attention to the increased need for mental health support in rural Alberta. In partnership with Wellness Innovate, and through funding from the Government of Alberta, we have been grateful to be able to offer mental health support to rural Albertans through the Headstrong Program in the past.
This collaborative program focused on supporting people and businesses through the escalated stress and anxiety of the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly rural Albertans, entrepreneurs, and SMEs (small or medium-sized businesses). Resources available through the program (free of charge) included: group coaching, one-on-one coaching, psychological services upon request, and webinars relating to mental health and well-being.
We are proud to say that the Headstrong Program was a great success, reaching an estimated 1000-1200 individuals, and 200 SME's throughout the MD of Foothills and area.
The mental health professionals who worked with the Headstrong Program found it to be “extremely effective” especially at the client level. Some of the successes they reported from their time with clients included: improved depression and anxiety management, suicide prevention, addiction treatment, improved communication skills and relationships, and healing from trauma.
We know mental health support is needed more than ever. Although the Head Start Program is no longer funded, we at BCO continue to help those in need. Please reach out if you’re struggling.
Conquering Homelessness
According to the 2016 State of Homelessness in Canada report:
At least 235,000 Canadians experience homelessness in a given year.
On any given night there are approximately 35,000 Canadians that are homeless (although we believe in 2024 this number is gravely low)
This doesn't include individuals crashing on someone's couch or people who never find a bed for the night at a local shelter.
There may be as many as 50,000 Hidden Homeless Canadians on any given night
According to research from the Homeless Hub:
Those experiencing chronic homelessness: 4,000 to 8,000
Those experiencing episodic homelessness: 6,000 to 22,000
Those who are transitionally homeless: 176,000 to 188,000
Homelessness costs the Canadian economy 7 billion dollars annually, and this does not include smaller community shelters that support individuals fleeing domestic violence.
In small communities like Okotoks, you will find people sleeping in any location where they can find warmth, hanging out in public places during the day (like Libraries), and even living in their cars. This is NOT just a big city challenge anymore. Tent communities were also established in small towns like High River. We have to have our local Government be brave to have conversations about what’s really happening in our communities.
Be A Good Neighbour
The strongest and healthiest communities are comprised of good neighbours. Following a national disaster, crews were asked which communities faired better to which the response was “those who knew their neighbours.”
We encourage you to check-in on your neighbours, volunteer in the community, and help make the world a kinder place.
You can also get involved in our Good Neighbour campaigns during Smile Cookie Week with Tim Horton’s Okotoks.
Make a donation.
Help us, help others today.
Our Why
My dream-wish-desire-longing is that not one soul would ever be without food and shelter, but until that day arrives I will continue my crusade to clothe and aid as many people in need as possible, and I hope that you will find yourself inspired to join us at Baby It’s Cold Outside in this endeavor to make a positive difference as a community by bringing a little bit more warmth to the cold streets. I know that together we can and do make a difference!
Baby It’s Cold Outside started from a very tragic story but continues today because there is a world of people who are about others.
~ Pamela Morgan, Founder
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