Children’s Cottage Society Transitions Brenda’s House to Inn From The Cold at Neoma

[Calgary, Alberta |February 5, 2025]—In a significant step towards strengthening support for families facing homelessness in Calgary, Inn from the Cold is proud to announce the transition of the Government of Alberta’s family shelter funding contract from Children’s Cottage Society (Brenda’s House) to Inn from the Cold. This move will centralize family emergency shelter services at Neoma, owned and operated by HomeSpace Society, where Inn from the Cold operates its programs, head office, and shelter services in a purpose-designed facility.

With this transition, Inn from the Cold’s shelter capacity will grow from 20 family shelter units to 32 family shelter units. This will provide families with the stability and support they need to achieve long-term housing stability under one roof.

This collaborative effort involves Inn from the Cold, Children’s Cottage, the Brenda Strafford Foundation, and the Government of Alberta, reflecting a shared mission to enhance support for vulnerable families. Families currently using Brenda’s House will transition seamlessly to Neoma, ensuring uninterrupted access to high-quality, trauma-informed, and family-centered care.

Stronger Together: A Unified Approach to Family Homelessness
The centralization of services under Inn from the Cold at Neoma will:
· Streamline family shelter operations, reducing duplication and creating sector efficiencies and allowing each partner to focus on their core expertise.
· Enhance the crisis line to serve as a central access point for families in need, ensuring immediate support and streamlined referrals.
· Centralize and enhance capacity for integrated, wraparound services in a purpose-designed facility, offering families comprehensive support to achieve long-term stability.

Children’s Cottage Society will focus on its core strengths going forward in prevention, early intervention and crisis support, including the Crisis Nursery, providing services that will complement the expanded role of Inn from the Cold in sheltering homeless families. Together, these organizations are demonstrating leadership in addressing family and child homelessness in the spirit of partnership through specialized, targeted programs that will create lasting change for vulnerable families.

Children’s Cottage will continue to provide their HomeLinks Program as part of a multi-agency case management system to support rehoused families after they exit shelter and prevent them from returning to homelessness.

Honouring Brenda’s House Legacy

Since 2008, Brenda’s House, generously supported by the Government of Alberta and the Brenda Strafford Foundation and operated by Children’s Cottage Society, has been a cornerstone of family shelter services in Calgary. Inn from the Cold honours this legacy and is committed to carrying forward Brenda’s House’s spirit of care and compassion at Neoma.

A Shared Commitment to Families

“This evolution in shelter support exemplifies the power of collaboration and a unified vision for addressing family homelessness,” said Heather Morley, Chief Executive Officer of Inn from the Cold. “By centralizing services at Neoma, we’re ensuring families receive the immediate, accessible, and comprehensive care they need while carrying forward the legacy of incredible work and impact of Brenda’s House.”

“Children’s Cottage is proud to support this transition as we focus on our mission of early intervention and moving families from adversity to possibility,” added Danielle Ladouceur, Chief Executive Officer of Children’s Cottage Society. “Inn from the Cold has been a longstanding partner of ours, and Calgary families requiring shelter will receive skilled and caring support. This handover allows us to deepen our impact in key areas while continuing to work in partnership to support vulnerable families.”

Alignment with Government Priorities

This transition aligns with the Government of Alberta’s commitment to fiscal responsibility, efficient use of public resources, and enhancing support for vulnerable populations. It underscores the province’s strategy to address homelessness and foster community safety and well-being.

“Homelessness is an issue that can affect entire families. This decision to streamline and strengthen supports for Calgary families facing homelessness is a significant step to protect some of the city’s most vulnerable people. Alberta’s government supports efforts to streamline services and improve outcomes for people experiencing homelessness, and I look forward to continuing to work closely with our partners to ensure help is there for those who need it.”

Jason Nixon, Minister of Seniors, Community and Social Services

About Inn from the Cold With this transition, Inn from the Cold will be Alberta’s only family emergency shelter, providing shelter, housing, and wraparound support services to families in crisis. With a mission to end family homelessness, the organization focuses on creating pathways to housing and stability. The transition marks a new chapter in Calgary’s efforts to address family homelessness, one rooted in collaboration, innovation, and an unwavering commitment to the community.

About The Children’s Cottage Society Children’s Cottage is dedicated to supporting children and families in crisis through early intervention and prevention programs, including a Crisis Nursery, the Calgary West Family Resource Network, a multi-service Child & Family Centre, and support in the community. Their work is driven by a commitment to keeping children safe and building family resilience.

To arrange an interview, please contact:

Maria Tashkova Marketing & Communications Lead
Inn from the Cold
Phone: 403.512.0769
Email: media@innfromthecold.org

Rae Fehr
Director of Development
Children’s Cottage Society
Phone: 587.998.2419
Email: rfehr@childrenscottage.ab.ca

Ashley Stevenson
Press Secretary
Government of Alberta
Ministry of Seniors and Community Services
Phone: 587-357-2141
Email: ashley.m.stevenson@gov.ab.ca