On this page, you’ll find a few resources AAISA has collated to help individuals prepare for the Albertan wintertime and support the work of service agencies as they get their clients all set for the season.
Physical Preparedness
Staying Warm in Winter
Keeping Healthy During the Cold Season
Staying Warm in Winter
Dressing for Winter
- TIES, Literary Centre for Expertise: Winter Clothing Module
- CCIS: Dressing for Winter in Canada blog
- CanadianImmigrant.ca: The “Stay Warm” Guide for Canadian Newcomers (Part 1)
Sourcing Winter Clothing
- End of the Rainbow Donation Centre: Centre for Newcomers, in partnership with the End of the Rainbow Foundation is collecting donations for winter clothing for refugees
- Making Changes Association: Dress for Success & My Best Friend’s Closet programs for women
- Goodwill: https://www.goodwill.ab.ca/
- Value Village: https://stores.savers.com/ab/
- Women in Need Society: https://www.womeninneed.net/shop/
- Salvation Army: https://thriftstore.ca/
- Coats for Kids: http://www.coatsforkidsandfamilies.ca/
- Project Warmth: https://www.projectwarmth.ca
- Jacket Racket: https://jacketracketcalgary.com
Keeping Healthy During the Cold Season
Health
- CanadianImimigrant.ca:The “Stay Warm” Winter Guide for Canadian Newcomers (Part 3): Keep healthy and fit
- TIES: Healing Foods for Health All Winter
- Alberta.ca: Information on Influenza
- Alberta Health Services: Resources on Influenza Immunization
- Alberta Health Services: Keeping your Child Healthy During Respiratory Season
- Canadian Pediatric Society: Information on Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)
- Alberta RSV Prevention Program: Collaboration between the Northern and Southern Alberta RSV Prevention Programs to identify and coordinate RSV immunoprophylaxis for eligible infants and children residing in Alberta. Information available here: https://www.albertahealthservices.ca/info/rsvprogram.aspx
- Alberta.ca: Covid-19 Resources
Recreation
- Town of Hanna Website: Fun and Free Things to Do in the Winter Months
- TheNewcomer.ca: Affordable winter activity gear guide for newcomers
Mental Wellbeing
Mental Health During the Winter
Mental Health Resources
Mental Health During the Winter
Information on Winter Mental Health
- The Newcomer.ca: Winter Mental Health
- Kids Help Phone: Seasonal Affective Disorder: What it is and how to cope
- Canadian Mental Health Association: Information on Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
Mental Health Resources
Resources for Mental Health
- Kids Help Phone (for youth): https://kidshelpphone.ca/wellness-support-in-multiple-languages/
- Wellness Together (for adults): https://www.wellnesstogether.ca/en-CA
- AHS Mental Health Help Line (all ages): https://www.albertahealthservices.ca/amh/Page14063.aspx
- Talk Suicide (all ages): https://talksuicide.ca/
- Distress Centre Calgary (all ages): https://www.distresscentre.com/
- ConnecTeen (youth): https://calgaryconnecteen.com/
- Centre for Newcomers: https://www.centrefornewcomers.ca/mentalhealth
Safety
Home and Vehicle Safety
Extreme Cold and Winter Storm Safety
Home and Vehicle Safety
Resources for Preparing Homes and Vehicles
- TIES: Preparing Your House and Vehicle for Winter. This article, along with “Winter in Canada” guides from TIES are available in several languages.
- ISC: How To Prepare For Winter in Alberta . This video is available in several languages. ISC created a very helpful winter guide which also includes information on winter driving. Link here: https://how-to.settlementcalgary.com/winter-in-alberta/
- GetPrepared.gc.ca: Preparing an Emergency Kit for your Car
Extreme Cold and Winter Storm Safety
Resources on Extreme Cold and Winter Storm Safety
- Weather.gc.ca: Public Weather Alerts (Alberta)
- Red Cross: Winter Storm Safety
- Alberta.ca: Information on Blizzards, freezing rain, ice storms, and extreme cold
- Resilient Rurals: Extreme Cold & Icy Conditions resource
- City of Edmonton: Extreme Weather Response
- City of Calgary: Preparing for an Emergency During a Winter Storm