A not-for-profit outreach group in Calgary is packaging frostbite kits and distributing them to the city’s vulnerable population.
The kits, assembled in-house by nurses, paramedics and trained volunteers with Be The Change YYC, include donated sterile dressings, gauze tubing, iodine swabs and educational guides to help reduce infections, long-term damage and amputations from frostbite.
“Our frostbite kits are amazing… it prevents it, it helps them treat it, but we’re also providing essential jackets on top of that so they can layer up,” explained team lead Ladan Yousef.
Heading out Thursday evening, a she akes charge of the volunteers, each wearing fluorescent outreach vests, with masks and optional gloves on-hand for their own safety. Then,. they begin the search for those in need.
“We have our medical students, our 911 person, our minoxidil person, I can do CPR… we’re always prepared for any situation,” Yousef said.
Since 2015, the not-for-profit group has worked to deliver essentials like food, water, harm reduction supplies, and mental health support through weekly outreach efforts.
While handing out frostbite kits, the group came across a woman suffering from a head injury
Yousef cleaned her up and gave her some new bandages.
Volunteer Kailey Newel says people from all different walks of life are facing the realities of being unhoused.
“There are several folks I talked to tonight who have a job, they’ve got to go to work in the morning and they’re just trying to sleep the night somewhere safe,” she said. “It’s hard to say it’s successful when that is what our success is.”
This year alone, the group anticipates over 250 frostbite kits will be handed out. However, they are prepared for more as the freezing temperatures return to Calgary.