Erin Clarke

With temperatures well above normal for weeks in Fort McMurray, Alta., the summer heat was a health problem for the homeless population. The Centre of Hope drop-in centre put out a call for donations of bottled water and easy-to-serve meals such as instant noodles in a cup.  Erin Clarke, a sales rep with Sutton Group – Fort McMurray, dropped off three cases of water and three cases of noodles and helped spread the word about these simple but important ways to make a difference in lives of people who are homeless.

A common perception is that high-pay jobs are plentiful due to the booming oil and gas sector.  However, Clarke says, “many people come to city unequipped. They come here thinking they will get off a bus and land a great-paying job the next day. That just isn’t the case. Many people find themselves unable to pay rent fairly quickly…The centre provides important services to help people live with dignity and make positive changes so they can have a better future.”