Social Support

We have been providing support to citizens of Lethbridge and area since 1989, acting as a bridge between a community of donors and those in need and providing food and access to services and resources generated from within our community.

Lethbridge Food Bank's mission is to support people with access to food and community resources. Donate, Volunteer, Mobile Food Service, Mindful Munchies. As a non-profit organization, we depend on donations from individuals and businesses like yours to sustain our clientele.

211 is an essential service that helps Albertans find the right resource or service for whatever issue they need help with, at the right time. 211 is available 24/7 by phone, text and chat.

The Reducing the Impact of Financial Strain (RIFS) project is a ground-breaking collaboration between communities and their Primary Care Networks that aims to reduce financial strain as a barrier to health, particularly in areas of cancer, chronic-disease-management, and prevention. Did you know that social determinants, like financial strain, contribute to 50 per cent of our overall wellbeing? Income is one of the most powerful determinants of health, and identifying financial resources can help improve health outcomes. This tool is to help identify potential financial resources.

The team of Seniors Supports Navigators (SSN) offers information & referrals, and outreach support to seniors in need over the age of 60 years who are experiencing age related challenges. Services are individualized and driven by psychosocial assessments and seniors centered service planning inclusive of: - Navigating and accessing community, health, and social resources (i.e. financial benefits/assistance applications, housing applications, etc.) - Emotional support to facilitate healthy coping habits focused on improving quality of life - Connection to social engagement opportunities targeting reduced isolation - Ongoing support of seniors experiencing complex psychosocial needs related to aging challenges (i.e. Deteriorating cognition with no support, mobility impairments causing safety concerns remaining home alone) - Facilitate educational and support groups - Providing appropriate referrals that are tailored to seniors and case consultation when necessary

Indigenous Support Navigators (ISN) see the impact of intergenerational trauma on the community and are dedicated in supporting Indigenous Peoples through family, community and cultural support. The Indigenous Support Navigators help Indigenous Peoples in Southern Alberta: - Access and connect with Indigenous specific resources and support on and off the reserve - Navigate and access community, health, and social resources (i.e. financial benefits/assistance applications, housing applications, etc.) - Reconnect with Blackfoot spiritual/cultural supports - Collaborate with other Indigenous serving agencies, family, and natural supports to provide integrated services for Indigenous Peoples - Provide appropriate referrals that are tailored to Indigenous Peoples and case consultation when necessary

Shelter Population Navigator & Case Manager offers connections to the continuum of care for the most vulnerable in the city. Working with the homeless population and shelter guests who are 18+ by providing population specific navigation and referrals: - Focusing on individuals who are chronically homeless or at risk of homelessness with a range of acuity and needs - Providing support for overall wellbeing including physical and mental health - Connecting to social & community resources (i.e. financial benefits/ assistance, housing applications/referrals, medication coverage etc.) - Assisting in recovery when needed (i.e. detox and treatment applications, medical assessments etc.) - Diverting participants from the shelter (i.e. arranging rides home, assisting with calling to domestic violence emergency shelters, etc.) - Diverting participants to Stabilization Unit - Providing consultation, direction and aid in rapport building for homeless serving agencies when requested - Working collaboratively with other homeless serving agencies to provide appropriate supports and cultural supports to shelter guests/participants

Youth Support Navigators introduce youth (ages 12-24) to supports and assist them in following through with their appointments. Barriers for vulnerable youth include meeting new people, filling out paperwork, and telling their story over and over again. Our Navigators Walk alongside clients through intake and referral processes, easing anxieties and eliminating barriers. Youth Support Navigators (YSN) work with youth ages 12 to 24 to provide direct and consistent one to one navigation by: - Identifying immediate barriers and concerns related to overall health and wellbeing or housing/homelessness - Connecting youth to short and long term supports for healthy transition to adulthood - Preventing entry into or further homelessness through enhanced individual and family support - Providing advocacy for clients in accessing and navigating services to meet goals - Providing education about available resources (inclusionary criteria, wait times, cost, etc.) - Collaborating with other youth serving agencies, family and natural supports to provide integrated services for youth - Providing appropriate referrals that are tailored to youth and case consultation when necessary

Seniors Assisted Transportation: Getting seniors where they need to go. How Does the Program Work? Volunteer drivers take riders to various appointments like medical appointments, shopping, banking, programming, and to visit friends or family. Fill out the rider application form and return it to the LSCO. Mail / in person: LSCO Drive Happiness 500 11th Street South Lethbridge, Alberta T1J 4G7 Email: [email protected] After receiving your application, Drive Happiness staff will set you up in the rider database. Once accepted into our senior assisted transportation program, you are notified by a telephone call.

LSCO is committed to providing individuals nutritious, affordable, hot, meals, delivered right to your door 5 days a week. Whether you need help, short- term or long-term, LSCO Meals on Wheels is here for you. Meals are packaged in biodegradable, disposable containers. Information on how to store and reheat meals will be sent on the first meal delivery day. Meals are delivered 5 days a week, with frozen meals available for the weekend. Meal options include Diabetic, certain doctor prescribed diets, ground/minced food, sandwich and/or salad add-ons. The LSCO subsidizes meal costs to make the program more accessible. Meal costs are based on line 15000 of an individual's income tax or Notice of Assessment. - Income Below $29,010 - $8.25/ Meal - Income Between $29,011 - $33,410 - $9.50/ Meal - Income Above $33,410 - $12.25 / Meal Phone: 403-327-7990 Fax: 403-320-2762 Email: [email protected]