Offering families a safe haven

Staff opens home to displaced residents

Steve Marcotte, site manager at Cold Lake Healthcare Centre, knows first-hand the devastating effects the Slave Lake fire has had on residents.

His daughter lost her house in the fire, and other friends and family have either lost their houses or are unsure what awaits them when they return to the community.

“We’ve seen aerial photos of streets we’ve walked on and they’re not there anymore. It’s scary, absolutely scary,” says Marcotte, who lived in Slave Lake until his recent move to Cold Lake.

Marcotte has opened up his home and is hosting three different families. He hopes his home can be a safe haven for those who don’t have one of their own.

Nothing can adequately express the gratitude he and his family feel for the staff at the Cold Lake Healthcare Centre.

“We’re so thankful for everyone who has come forward and donated so much, in the way of gift cards, food and clothing,” Marcotte says.

Local businesses are also stepping forward.

Marcotte contacted a local pharmacy for a donation of toiletries, and he left with a truck full of towels, toiletries and other necessary items.
“It’s been unbelievable—from the absolute worst to the absolute best of support and love,” he says.

Marcotte’s also impressed with the way AHS has come together.

“The emails I’ve been getting about what AHS is doing for their employees makes me proud to be a part of this organization,” he says. “It’s good to know that AHS is not going to let their people down in this time of need.”

One of hardest parts right now, according to Marcotte, is dealing with the unknown. There’s conflicting information, and it’s hard to know what’s real and not real.

“We’re just trying to move forward and rebuild emotionally so we can rebuild physically.”

Although the circumstances are extraordinary, Marcotte believes his contributions and those of other health-care workers providing support are all in a day’s work.

“It’s what we do,” he says. “We’re health-care workers, and we take care of people.”