United Way and 211 Alberta supporting Jasper wildfire recovery

Content Note: This article discusses the recent wildfire in Jasper, Alberta. If this is a difficult topic for you, please take care while reading. If you need immediate support, 211 Alberta can connect you with resources that can help.

When a wildfire prompted the evacuation of Jasper National Park and the townsite, 211 Alberta, alongside United Ways in Alberta and British Columbia and our supporters, quickly mobilized to help people in need as they navigated evacuation and re-entry.

Strength of our United Way network in action

United Way of the Alberta Capital Region quickly mobilized to help. Our team activated the Wildfire Response and Recovery fund to deliver immediate relief and sustainable assistance to the hardest-hit communities.

Donations that came in through the fund were able to provide immediate assistance to evacuees — even those who had to leave Alberta to get to safety. Thanks to our national United Way network, our United Way was able to get support to evacuees arriving in Kamloops mere hours after they left Jasper.

Kristi Rintoul, Director of Community and Investment for United Way British Columbia, dishes up pizza for Jasper evacuees in Kamloops. Photo supplied by United Way British Columbia.

It comes as no surprise that after the 5+ hours trek, evacuees were hungry. Thanks to funding from our United Way and our supporters, United Way BC was able to provide pizzas from a local pizzeria. The Kamloops Food Policy Council were also on hand with coffee, fruit and veggies trays, buns, and sweets.

“They were so grateful and kind. The mood was somber, yet no one was upset,” shares Kristi Rintoul, Director of Community and Investment for United Way British Columbia.

“I was chatting with one family from Barbados who had never been in a hockey arena before and were impressed. We joked that they could add that experience to their trip to Canada.”

211 Alberta navigators were on-site in Jasper to support evacuees as they returned home after the Jasper wildfires. Image supplied by 211 Alberta.

211 Alberta a key partner in emergency response

The Wildfire Recovery and Response Fund also supported 211 Alberta —  a partnership by United Way of the Alberta Capital Region, Distress Centre Calgary, and Canadian Mental Health Association Edmonton — a key resource, ensuring Albertans have the information they need, when they need it, especially during a crisis.

Not only did 211 Alberta collaborate with the Government of Alberta in the response to the wildfire, ensuring resource listings were up to date as the situation changed, they were also key partners in recovery efforts as evacuees returned home.

With funding from United Way’s Wildfire Response and Recovery Fund, 211 Alberta quickly put up two billboards in Hinton, reminding people that they can call or text 211 for support.

“When Jasper opened up for bus tours of people seeing their homes and businesses for the first time after the evacuation, government officials expressed concern for the residents’ mental well-being,” shares Stephanie Wright, Director of 211 Alberta.

“It was important for us to welcome the residents of Jasper home with a reminder that 211 Alberta was there for them, whenever they needed support.”

And for the first time, 211 Alberta navigators are on site in Jasper, connecting with people face-to-face to help them find the support they need to recover.

“Jasper residents have appreciated the in-person support that 211 Alberta is providing, but we were pleasantly surprised at how invigorating this deployment was for our staff,” Stephanie describes.

“The face-to-face connection was a welcome change to their regular work on the phone. And, having a physical presence in Jasper during this very challenging time has helped to raise awareness of 211 Alberta in the community that will last much longer than our time there.”

In addition to helping people navigate available supports, 211 Alberta collects valuable information about the emerging needs in the region, and how they are being met — or what gaps exist.

“It’s no surprise that challenges that were already present in the Jasper region — affordable housing, precarious employment, and cost of living — were exacerbated by the fire. Our data team is able to track this information and provide it to decision-makers in consideration of their next steps for sustainable recovery,” Stephanie adds.

While the state of emergency for the Jasper region has officially ended, 211 Alberta and our United Way continues to work towards sustainable recovery, collaborating with local leaders and partners. Our collective efforts are directed towards ensuring our communities can thrive in the aftermath of disasters.