Safe Harbour is working to manage traffic coming into its facility on 54 Avenue(rdnewsNOW file photo)

By Troy Gillard

helping those in need

Agencies continue to assist Red Deer’s vulnerable as they adjust to COVID-19 pandemic

Mar 17, 2020 | 11:23 AM

Local agencies that help the city’s vulnerable are adjusting to changes to their operations brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Jennifer Cross, Manager of the Medically Supported Detox Program, says Safe Harbour is trying hard to limit traffic coming into their building.

“We’re being very vigilant with staff, giving them masks, gloves and sanitizers, encouraging all the things everyone else is doing, as well for them to stay home if sick,” Cross says.

“Services haven’t been reduced yet. We’re thinking about it though, and about people who may be coming from different provinces or areas where numbers of people who’ve contracted the virus are higher.”

Safe Harbour’s MATS program has a capacity of 26, and is held in a room with enough space to conduct proper social distancing. However, as it pertains to the warming centre, the situation is more complicated.

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Cross says upwards of 75 people have been inside the warming centre at any one time over the last several days. She says Safe Harbour is working with the province to swiftly find a solution.

Turning Point, which offers programming out of its main building downtown and operates Red Deer’s temporary Overdose Prevention Site (OPS), is cutting back some of its work.

“We have made some changes in regards to our overdose prevention program which provides education and training in the community. We’ve stopped all of that,” says Stacey Carmichael, Turning point’s executive director. “It’s still available if folks want to Skype in, but we’re not going out into the community.”

Turning Point is also getting rid of coffee and chairs from its front lobby. Carmichael expects to eventually cut services more substantially.

“Our main goal is to make sure folks still have access to the information and supplies that they need to be as healthy as they can be,” she adds.

Hours will remain the same (weekdays 9:15 a.m. to noon, 1-4:30 p.m.), and services such as the Women’s Program, Harm Reduction Program, NightReach, and assistance for HIV-positive people will continue. Staff will work from home and do their best to keep in contact with clients who aren’t able to visit Turning Point’s offices, Carmichael says.

At the OPS, operations continue with increased cleaning, as well as screening upon entry.

“We do anticipate there will be a staff shortage. We may see things like a reduction to the number of booths we’re able to keep open or the number of hours we’re able to stay open,” says Carmichael, acknowledging there are issues with folks gathering outside the OPS, which could constitute a mass gathering.

“We are taking COVID-19 extremely seriously and are acting quickly to protect the health of all Albertans, including our most vulnerable,” says Diane Carter, spokesperson for Alberta Community and Social Services.

“We are in ongoing contact with shelter operators and are prepared to support them as they activate emergency plans. We are also working closely with Alberta Health and Alberta Health Services on public health guidelines for shelters. We will support shelter operators in complying with the guidelines and continue to work with shelters to identify emerging issues and provide advice and information. We will share more information as it becomes available.”

The Mustard Seed says their school lunch program is continuing at this time, and that families who used it while K-12 classes were still happening can still do so by visiting them at 6002 54 Avenue to pick up lunches from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on weekdays.

“The Mustard Seed is working diligently to ensure the health and safety of our guests, community members, volunteers, and staff,” says Byron Bradley, managing director for central Alberta. “We have an internal committee who are working closely with Alberta Health Services and the Government of Alberta on a daily basis to ensure we are following the standard protocol on how to handle this situation.”

NOTE: Tuesday afternoon, Premier Jason Kenney announced that municipalities, charitable and non-profit organizations providing social services support will immediately see $60 million to support their COVID-19 response. The funding will be provided to adult homeless shelters, women’s emergency shelters and the Family and Community Support Services (FCSS) program, which supports municipalities and civil society organizations in providing services to vulnerable Albertans.