In 2007 a community kitchen called Tennille's Hope was started in Whitecourt. During the first year of serving food, it came to FWC (Family Worship Centre) attention, that there were homeless men and women living in Whitecourt. We began to consider ways in which we might be able to alleviate this problem. especially in the winter when temperatures are dangerously cold.

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January of 2008, Lorne's Blanket started as a pilot project in a donated house at 5016-21 Ave in the downtown area. In this location we operated as an emergency shelter for men, until April 15, 2008. During that time, we served 11 different individuals and averaged around 2 men per night.

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From Fall 2009-2011, we operated out of various hotel/motel rooms during the cold temperatures, which proved to be quite costly. After much research, deliberations and mentoring it was felt the best fit to truly help the situation, was to open a transitional facility.

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Lorne's Blanket was now a registered non-profit society and today is a Registered Charity. 

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Early 2011, plans were underway and financing was established to start this facility.

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5 bedrooms, 1 & 1/2 bath transition home for men.

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The brunt of the financing came from a Town of Whitecourt grant. 70/30 split. 70% of the money was grant funds, and 30% came from a variety of ways, church, donors fundraising, etc. The agreement states that the Family Worship Centre will operate for 20 years as a transitional house for men. If for whatever reason the transitional house comes to an earlier close, the grant money would be prorated and funds as such would be paid back to the town. To date we are financially supported by caring compassionate community we call home . . . Whitecourt!