The Alberta family shelter putting people-centred HR at the heart of its mission
For almost 30 years, Inn from the Cold has been helping vulnerable families find stability in times of crisis. As one of the largest family shelters in Alberta, the organization runs shelter, housing, and prevention programs for families who have nowhere else to turn.
Being named one of HRD Canada’s Best Places to Work 2026 reflects something that sits alongside that mission rather than apart from it, and that is the organization’s sustained investment in the people who deliver that care every day.
Inn from the Cold employs 116 staff across its programs, all contributing to a mission grounded in dignity. Crisis-facing roles carry a level of emotional demand that most workplaces never encounter, and leadership at Inn from the Cold has built its people strategy around that reality. Culture here is deliberate, values-driven, and continuously measured.
A culture built for the weight of the work
“At Inn from the Cold, our work is deeply human,” says Heather Morley, CEO of Inn from the Cold in Alberta. “Supporting families through crisis requires compassion, stability, and trust, and that begins with how we care for our staff. When our people feel safe, supported, and valued, they can bring their full selves to the work that matters most.”
The organization’s six core values, compassion, accountability, respect, inclusion, courage, and innovation, shape how staff work together and how they serve the families who come through the door. These values are reinforced through formal recognition programs that make them visible in everyday practice.
The Values INN Action program celebrates staff who demonstrate those values in their work. The Employee of the Year award and long-service recognition further signal that the organization pays attention, tracks contribution, and takes the time to mark it. Recognition here is structured and consistent.
Compensation and benefits designed for frontline realities
The compensation and benefits package reflects an equally deliberate commitment to frontline staff well-being. Inn from the Cold is a living-wage employer and offers:
- RRSP matching of up to four percent
- 15 personal or wellness days, in addition to paid and statutory leave
- twice-annual performance reviews providing regular feedback and structured development opportunities
- learning as a core commitment
- market-aligned compensation, including eligibility for a performance-based bonus
- competitive vacation entitlement that increases with tenure
Professional development is treated as a core organizational priority. Staff access education reimbursement for approved, role-specific courses, certifications, and training programs, ensuring that learning is directly connected to the work people are doing.
Participation in mandatory equity, diversity, trauma-informed, and reconciliation training reinforces inclusive and values-aligned practice across every level of the organization. Additional learning opportunities, coaching, and leadership development initiatives round out a professional development offering designed to support both individual growth and long-term organizational strength.
Marj Kyle, senior manager, human resources at Inn from the Cold, speaks to the intent behind these programs.
“Our approach to HR is grounded in well-being, equity, and flexibility,” she says. “We intentionally design policies and practices that honour the realities of frontline work, promote psychological safety, and create opportunities for growth. Being recognized as a Best Place to Work affirms that our people-centred approach is making a meaningful difference.”
Underpinning all of it is a commitment to staying closely connected to staff experience. Ongoing employee satisfaction surveys and open internal communication give leadership a live read on what is working and what is not. That feedback loop is credited as central to how the organization continues to strengthen its culture year over year.
What this recognition means beyond the award
The outcome is a workplace where staff feel supported, respected, and connected to a shared mission. In a sector where burnout and turnover present constant organizational risks, that connection matters. Every investment in staff stability translates directly into consistency and quality of care for the families Inn from the Cold serves.
For HR leaders and people professionals looking at what a values-driven workplace culture looks like in practice, Inn from the Cold’s recognition as one of Canada’s best places to work in 2026 offers a grounded example of what it means to lead with people, listen consistently, and build systems that make values visible.
For more information on Inn from the Cold, visit innfromthecold.org.
