Marvin Tremblett walked into Hope Mission’s emergency shelter in Red Deer and sat down to a hot meal.
He was the first guest through the doors, and staff served him a plate of rice and sweet and sour chicken.
“It’s beautiful food,” Marvin said.
Shelter operations transitioned from Safe Harbour to Hope Mission on April 1, and the first thing that greeted guests after check-in was a hot meal.
“Hope begins with a meal,” says Ade Adeoye, director of emergency care and housing.
“To have lunch ready for every community member accessing services on day one is significant. It’s a core part of Hope Mission’s identity, but it’s also about meeting people at the point of their need. It felt like we were starting on the right foot.”
The shelter offers 118 sleeping spaces, including bunk beds and single-style beds. On the first night, 92 people stayed.
Staff will serve three meals every weekday, with brunch and supper provided on weekends and holidays.
“We want to establish a consistent rhythm—something community members can recognize and rely on. That includes regular mealtimes and helping people become familiar with the programs and wraparound supports we offer.”
Many of those supports continue what was already in place, says Adina McKinnon, manager of community initiatives and partnerships in Red Deer.
- LISTEN: Shelter opens in Red Deer (Hope Stories podcast on Apple and Spotify)
That includes the rapid response team responding to drug poisonings and other medical emergencies, recovery coaching through Bowline Health, a home care clinic, and Recovery Alberta nurses.
“Familiarity is important for guests. You don’t want everything to change at once and feel overwhelming. Having some continuity through staff and relationships helps ease that transition,” says Adina, who worked previously for Safe Harbour. “At the same time, a fresh perspective allows things to grow and change.”
Along with maintaining continuity, Hope Mission is expanding services at the shelter, adding a social worker and three housing support workers.
Adina wants to grow the Hope Mission Rescue Van program, which has been operating in Red Deer since the summer of 2024. She also wants to provide life-skills workshops, expand volunteer engagement, and add chapel programming.
The team is also making security improvements.
Ade says that includes conducting regular rounds inside and out, adding exterior fencing to discourage encampments, strengthening connections with RCMP, and expanding janitorial coverage to include the exterior of the building.
“It’s a significant task, and it won’t be resolved immediately, but we do have plans in place.”
As a shelter guest, Marvin says those changes matter.
“I’ve heard a lot of good stories about Hope Mission,” Marvin says. “I want to feel safe.”
- Read more: Expanded care in Red Deer
As the shelter begins operating, the focus is on building relationships, establishing routines, and supporting the Red Deer community.
“Today was about getting set up and making that first connection,” says Ade. “Now the work really begins.”