Inn from the Cold started out of a community concern for the growing number of homeless people during the bitterly cold winter of 1996-1997. A number of downtown churches met together to decide how they could help. The Inn from the Cold program was developed by this compassionate group of volunteers, who modelled it after the Room in the Inn in Nashville, Tennessee.
On May 2, 1997, the first church opened its doors to provide shelter and hope to Calgary's homeless families and others in need. Since then, an ever-growing number of inter-denominational churches, synagogues, community associations and organizations have joined us in providing shelter and hope to Calgary’s homeless families.
Today there are over 84 Inns, with 3,800 volunteers, operating on a rotating basis, 365 days a year.
