As Hope Mission prepares to begin operating an emergency shelter in Red Deer on April 1, much of what people see at the Cannery Row location will be familiar, along with several key changes shaping how the shelter operates.
The basics will stay the same, says Ade Adeoye, Hope Mission’s director of emergency care and housing: community members will continue sleeping in the shelter and many of the support services will remain. But the shelter will operate as a 24/7 continuous-stay model, which is standard for Hope Mission.
“If someone has a bed, it’s reserved for them as long as they check in and renew it—they don’t have to be woken up in the morning,” Ade says.
Another key change is daily meal service–a standard across Hope Mission shelters. It will provide breakfast, lunch, and supper every weekday—with brunch and supper on weekends and holidays.
“Those are two of the biggest differences people will notice right away.”
Hope Mission will continue with on-site services Safe Harbour provides, including home care, a rapid response team for medical emergencies and overdoses, and recovery care and coaching through Recovery Alberta and Bowline Health.
“Safe Harbour has been an excellent partner through the transition, and we hope to continue working with them. They operate a detox centre across the street and have housing supports as well.”
HopeHealth, Hope Mission’s health services division, will provide on-site nursing, focusing on general care, health assessments, and wound care. Ade says the shelter will also have a social worker and housing workers.
“That social support component is an addition—it’s not currently in place.”
Shelter operations will continue at the temporary Cannery Row location as the approvals process unfolds for Project Nexus, a proposed permanent shelter and support services hub. If approved, Ade says the permanent shelter is likely still a year away from opening.
- LISTEN: 24/7 Shelter Provides Fresh Start for Red Deer (Hope Stories podcast on Apple or Spotify)
In recent weeks, the temporary shelter has seen peak usage between 60 and 80 people. Ade expects that number to increase as a nearby warming centre closes at the end of March. The addition of regular meals may also draw more people indoors.
“We’re aiming for at least 150 permanent semi-private beds, with the remaining 50 as surge spaces, depending on how the space can be configured,” says Ade.
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- New beds arrive at the Red Deer shelter.
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- Staff begin setting up permanent, semi-private shelter beds.
Hope Mission’s shelter operations are a blend of continuity and a fresh start, reflected in the frontline team. The shelter manager brings experience from working in Hope Mission’s Wetaskiwin shelter, while the manager for community initiatives and partnerships comes from Safe Harbour’s leadership team.
“We’re doing the same with staffing: about one-third of staff are from Safe Harbour, and two-thirds are new hires,” Ade says. “That blend helps us build continuity and establish a culture of excellence in care.”
That operational experience will help the team respond to Red Deer’s unique challenges and opportunities. Ade says vacancy rates are very low in Red Deer, which will create challenges in moving people from shelter into permanent housing. He also points to a significant number of people staying in encampments and a high level of food insecurity.
“Where we’ll need to adapt is in engaging people who are staying in encampments and helping them access services,” Ade says. “Offering meals consistently will make a significant difference—not just in encouraging shelter use, but in addressing food insecurity.”
- Read more: Shelter to meet growing need in Red Deer
In addition to support from Safe Harbour, Ade says Hope Mission has begun building connections with other agencies, including the Red Deer Systems Navigators and the RCMP. The City of Red Deer has helped guide the team through applications and processes.
“We can’t do this work alone—collaboration is essential,” Ade says. “It feels like the community wants us to succeed, and that makes a big difference.”