A new overnight mat program opened it's doors for the first time on January 31st in Ponoka. 

Housed in the Ponoka Baptist Church, six mats will be available for people experiencing homelessness. This program is made possible by the Ponoka Housing/Homelessness committee, which began a couple of years ago to address a growing need in the community. 

Committee chair and local family physician Dr. Cayla Gilbert says they need people to know that there is homelessness in rural communities, not just in big cities. 

Dr. Gilbert said although the weather is getting slightly warmer, they want to be ready for inevitable February cold snap that seems to grace Alberta each year. 

“A lot of the referrals are done mouth-to-mouth, either at the hospital, or family clinic or through FCSS or other programs in town. We’re not sure how many people we will have, but it’s going to be open and ready.”

Dr. Gilbert also explained that a program like this is necessary for their community because not everyone can be sent to Red Deer or wants to leave their community - there needs to be a solution for rural residents.

Intake will take place from 9-11 p.m. each night for patrons who need a place to rest before heading back out again at 7 a.m. Guests receive a small “kit” that includes a shower voucher for the Ponoka Aquaplex, some basic toiletries and sometimes, small gift cards.

“We’re looking for things like toiletries, toothbrushes, toothpaste, socks, hand warmers. We’re also looking for $5 gift cards to either Tim Hortons or McDonalds, because that allows people to actually go in and be patrons and have a chance to warm up indoors for a little bit,” Dr. Gilbert said. 

The Ponoka Housing/Homelessness committee is run by Dr. Gilbert as well as a Mental Health Liaison at the hospital, a PCN Social Worker and an Addictions and Mental Health Counselor. They work with other community agencies to look at the needs of the community and are working to find solutions to address those needs.

Dr. Gilbert went on to say there is a lack of adequate facilities in Ponoka for people who are under-housed or have no housing at all. 

“For a long time, our solution was to send people to Red Deer, which isn’t an appropriate solution at all. Most people don’t want to leave their town or what supports they do have. Red Deer is a big city with lots of big-city problems that they aren’t ready to face,” she said, adding that oftentimes, those sent to Red Deer come back as soon as possible and the issue isn’t solved.

The program is being entirely run by donations at this point. If you'd like to get involved, you can contact the Ponoka Housing/Homelessness group on facebook.