COMMUNITY SUPPORTS AND RESOURCES

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Housing
Food
Clothing
Crisis
Transportation
Financial Support
Family & Child Support Services
Addiction and Mental health
Access to Free Phone/Fax/Computer
Employment Support
Support for Seniors
Tips for a Lost I.D.
Legal Support
Medical Equipment
Health Services
Canada Revenue & Service Canada

 

HOUSING

Rimoka Housing: 403-783-3940
Senior’s housing, low-income housing, rent subsidy

Studio’s Alberta: 888-963-5698 

Landlord/Tenant Act: Dial 310-0000 and then dial 780-644-3000 when prompted to do so.

Samson Community Wellness Emergency Shelter: (Maskwacis)
After Hours: 780-335-9441
Doors At Community Friendship Centre – Doors open at 8 pm

Mustard Seed Sober Shelter: 403-347-1844
Red Deer - Provides meals.

Safe Harbor Shelter and Supports: 403-342-1966 Red Deer

Central Alberta Women’s Shelter (Red Deer):
24-hour Crisis Line: 888-346-5643
Daytime: 403-346-5643
Workers can travel to Ponoka.

Camrose Women’s Shelter: 1-877-672-1010

Ermineskin Women’s Shelter: 780-585-4444

 

FOOD

Ponoka Food Bank: 403-783-5910
Address: 6B 4612 50ST, Ponoka
Emergency #: 403-392-2950
Tuesday, 10-1; Wednesday, 5-8; Friday, 10-1

Lutheran Church Trinity: 403-783-4141 
Address: 5501 - 54 Ave
Offers Bag Lunches.

Ponoka Library: 403-783-3843
Address: 5604 50 Street 
Has a community cupboard (inside east doors).

Rimbey Food Bank: 403-843-2030 

Rock Soup Green House & Food Bank: 780-777-3469
Located in Wetaskiwin.

Emergency Food Benefits: You can apply at https://emergencybenefits.alberta.ca/ (you will need a personal email, a MyAlberta Digital ID, a bank account that offers Interac e-transfers, a valid Alberta drivers licence or identification card (you will still need to call to complete your application) 

 

CLOTHING

Coats for the Cold: 403-783-4087
Address: United Church, 5020 52 Ave, Ponoka. 

FCSS/ Other Services Agencies: 403-783 4462 
In association with Bibles for Missions a 1-time voucher can be given to individuals to get $30 of essential clothing items.

Ponoka Mat Program
Ponoka Baptist Church (details in housing area above) provides warm socks, mitts, toques as required by patrons. 

 

CRISIS

In Danger? Call 9-1-1

Ponoka Victim Services: 403-783-6539

Suicide Distress Line for the (403) Area Code: 1-800-SUICIDE (784-2433) 

Hope for Wellness Chat: 1-855-242-3310 

Child Abuse Hotline: 1-800-387-5437

Kids Help Line: 1-800-668-6868 or Text 686868

Alberta Mental Health Help Line: 1-877-303-2642

Family Violence Info Line: 310-1818 

Alberta’s One Line for Sexual Violence: 1-866-403-8000

Central Alberta Women’s Outreach: 403-347-2480 

Safe Harbour Society: 403-347-0181 

Live Crisis Chat: http://crisissupportcentre.com/get_support_now/online-crisis-chat/

 

TRANSPORTATION

Red Arrow: 1-800-232-1958 (stops in Fort. Mac, Edmonton, Red Deer, Calgary, and Lethbridge 

E-Bus: 1-877-769-3287
Many stops in Alberta and BC 

Ponoka Wheelchair Van:
In town: 403-783-0399
Out of town: 403-783-9752

 

FAMILY & CHILD SUPPORT SERVICES

Family Resource Network (Wetaskiwin): 780-352-4643 Ext. 28

Child Services: Red Deer: 403-340-5400
Offers many resources and supports for children, families, and youth.

Wetaskiwin Catholic Social Services: 403-352-5535 

24-Hour Child Intervention Line: 1-800-638-0715

Kids Help Line: 1-800-668-6868 or Text 686868
Website: kidshelpphone.ca

Child Abuse Hotline: 1-800-387-5437

The Outreach Centre: 403-347-2480
Helps support families through domestic violence and poverty. Helps with safe and affordable housing and can provide legal information and referrals for domestic violence victims. Also deals with crisis intervention and support.

 

FINANCIAL SUPPORT

Income Support Intake: 1-877-644-9992
Email: css.ascc@.gov.ab.aca
Apply online at: https://www.alberta.ca/income-support-how-to-apply.aspx
A list of what is needed to apply is available through FCSS 

4-hour Emergency Income Support: 1-866-644-5135
Email: css.iscc@gov.ab.ca
Red Deer: 403-340-5485 
Wetaskiwin: 780-361-5878  
Telephone Reporting Number: 1-866-232-0214

AISH: Wetaskiwin 780-361-5163
Red Deer: 403-340-7077 

Employment Insurance:
Telephone reporting number: 1-800-531-7555
https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/ei.html

Credit Counselling: 888-294-0076

 

ADDICTION AND MENTAL HEALTH

Addictions and Mental Health Intake: 1-888-594-0211

Mental Health Helpline: 1-877-303-2642

Addictions Helpline: 1-866-332-2322

AHS Ponoka Office: 403-783-7903
In Provincial Building

Maskwacis Mobile Mental Health: 780-362-2150

AA (Alcoholics Anonymous): 403-783-6574 or 403-783-3442
Meets Thursday at Anglican Church @ 8:30pm.
NA also welcome. Last Thursday of every month is an open meeting.

No BS (Alcoholics Anonymous): 403-783-0719
Meets Mondays at Anglican Church @8:30pm. Last Monday of the month is an open meeting.

Al-Anon (Friends and family of alcoholics): 403-783-2801
Meets Tuesdays @ 7:30pm. South facing small door is the entrance.

The Virtual Opioid Dependency Program (AHS): 1-844-383-7688

Turning Point: 403-396-0018
 Travels to communities giving education, clean supplies, and resources to vulnerable people.

Opioid Addiction Recovery Resources List: https://opioidrecoveryalberta.ca

 

ACCESS TO FREE PHONE/FAX/ COMPUTER USE

Ponoka FCSS (Family & Community Support Services): Monday-Friday, 8:30am-12pm & 1pm-4:30pm.

Ponoka Library: Monday-Saturday, 10am-Close, Phone & Computers available.

 

EMPLOYMENT SUPPORT

Career Assistance Network: 403-341-7811 
Will travel to Ponoka to help people looking for work.

Adult Learning: 403-783-3285 
Will help with resumes in Ponoka. Located in Provincial Building.

Alberta Works: 780-361-5894
Toll free: 403-310-0000
One on One Program, they will travel to you!

Wetaskiwin AISH (Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped): 780-361-5878

John Howard Society: 403-343-1770  
Criminal Justice Education and can help with work boots / work clothes.

EPSS: (877) 643-6249 
Employment Placement Support Services. For people with disabilities – even anxiety or depression, anything hindering motivation.
They can travel to you!

Job Search (click for links):
Ponoka Job Search, Central Alberta Jobs, Alberta Job Bank, Indeed, Newspaper Listings, on Facebook and on Kijiji.

Alberta Learning Information Service website: http://alis.alberta.ca

Computers are available at the Ponoka Jubilee Library: 403-783-3843

Dress For Success (referral needed): 403-597-8769 
Located in Red Deer. Provides professional clothing for interviews and career.
Website: centralalberta.dressforsuccess.org

 

SUPPORT FOR SENIORS

Elder Advocate: 780-438-8314

Seniors Abuse Helpline: 780-454-8888

Alberta Seniors Benefits: 877-644-9992

Blue Cross (Seniors): 800-661-6995

 

TIPS FOR A LOST I.D.

Visit the registry office – if able to do so take 2 other pieces of ID with you. Take someone into registries with you who has known you for longer than 1 year to do a statutory declaration. Have photocopied info faxed to you from anyone who may have your I.D. on hand. Costs approximately $15 for a 1 year I.D. and $50 for a 5 year. $41 to order your birth certificate or $65 for a rush delivery. 

 

Legal Aid: 866-845-3425

Lawyer Referral: 800-661-1095

Central Alberta Community Legal Clinic: 403-314-9129
Will come to Ponoka.

Family Mediation: 403-340-7187
Local court houses.

Alberta Mediation: 780-427-8343

Family Justice Services: 403-340-7187

Office of the Public Guardian: (403)340-5165
Helps Albertans plan for the future and make the most of today, if decision making support is needed. If someone passes away and no one is willing or able to settle their affairs they may assist with the burial and help with the administration of the estate.

 

MEDICAL EQUIPMENT

Red Deer Lending Cupboard: 403-356-1678
Continues to provide medical equipment to those in need. Whether your needs are long or short term, minor or serious – they are here to help.

Wetaskiwin MediLend: 780-352-0206 
Address: 5106B-50 Ave 

Red Cross Red Deer: 403-346-1241

Alberta Aids to Daily Living: 780-427-0731
Toll free: 310-0000 and enter 780-427-0731 when prompted to do so. 
Provides medical equipment and supplies.

 

HEALTH SERVICES

Battle River Medical Clinic: 403-783-3399

Ponoka Community Health Centre: 403-783-4491

Central Alberta Cancer Centre: 403-343-4434

Confidential STD/STI screening: 780-312-7934
Will travel to Ponoka, Maskwacis & Wetaskiwin

Dental Emergency: https://www.albertadentalfoundation.ca/get-dental-help/
For those in financial need.

Alberta Health Advocates: 310-0000 and then 780-422-1812 when prompted to do so.
Helps to find health and mental health services and directs you to the appropriate place to address your complaints. The advocates provide education about the Alberta Health Charter and the patients’ rights set out in the Mental Health Act.

Samson Community Wellness: (780) 585-3634

CANADA REVENUE AGENCY & SERVICE CANADA

Individual Income Tax Enquiries: 1-800-959-8281

Business Enquiries: 1-800-959-5525

Child Tax Benefit: 1-800-387-1193

Old Age Security: 1-800-277-9914 

Canada Pension Plan: 1-833-699-0299

GST Credit Enquiries: 1-800-959-1953
FAX 1-204-984-4140