Canadian Red Cross, Salvation Army, and St. John Ambulance sign agreement with Saskatchewan government

From the Regina Leader-Post

Should an emergency situation arise or natural disaster occur, Saskatchewan has a new streamlined plan in place to handle it.

Donna Harpauer, minister of Social Services, announced Monday that the province has entered into formal agreements with the Canadian Red Cross, Salvation Army and St. John Ambulance to assist in providing emergency programs.

"I think it's very important to have a formal agreement with them to recognize them (and) to show respect for the services they do," said Harpauer.

The need to formalize things became apparent after last year's northern forest fires forced the evacuation of northern residents, she explained.

"It was the largest evacuation of the north that our province ever had -- and even though it was chaotic -- I toured the evacuation sites where we were housing the evacuees," said Harpauer. "All the organizations were very organized in looking after everything the people needed."

New public library in Riversdale

All of us at the Centre are excited that there is a new library in Riversdale.  We got this report in an e-mail from city counselor Darren Hill.

I am writing with some exciting news about a great new facility on 20th Street. Yesterday I attended the grand opening of the new library at 20th Street and Avenue K South. This marks the first time in over 50 years that there has been a library in Riversdale.

The new library is wheelchair accessible, and features books in several languages, including Ukrainian, German, French, Vietnamese, Mandarin and Urdu. CD's and DVD's are also available for borrowing, and a Family Story Time each Thursday morning at 10:30 will be a wonderful feature of the ongoing programming.

You can get to the library on either the #1 or #2 bus routes. For more information on all the great things at the library, please call 975-7508. Even though the library opened officially today, people have been using it already and I hear that it is so popular that the librarians are already thinking it should have been bigger! Do drop in and check it out.

A report from our cadet…

Cadet Kristen Gray served in Saskatoon over the summer and posted a report on her time in Saskatoon on the Canadian Officers Training College website.

Funding Increase for Emergency After Hours

According to News Talk Radio

After-hours services at the Saskatoon Salvation Army are getting a shot in the arm.

The province is boosting their funding by 82-thousand dollars. 

Social Services Minister Donna Harpauer says the money will the facility keep up with a growing demand for its services.

"They have had increases and they are looking at expansion, so this will help them to have more staff on at night."

The money will add full time staff at the shelter, including counselors.

Harpauer says the money should be a permanent addition to the Salvation Army's annual budget.

Re-Zoning Approved!

The Salvation Army got approval from Saskatoon’s City Council tonight to rezone 341 Avenue T South to zoning that allow a short term emergency women’s shelter to be opened there.  This is a significant step for the Centre’s goals of having a safe place for women and children to go to when they are in crisis.

Thanks to all of the staff, officers, our realtor, city councilors, city employees, the Homelessness Partnering Strategy, and our architect Ken Wilson for getting us this far.  After we get our building permits, we hope to be open by the time winter hits in 2009.  If you have any questions, feel free to contact Captain Rhonda Smith at rhonda_smith@can.salvationarmy.org or the Residential Coordinator, Jordon Cooper jordon.cooper@salvationarmysaskatoon.org.  Both can be reached via phone at 306.244.6833.

Backpacks For Kids

Back Pack’s filled with school supplies are collected by Sleep Country and are made available for families who qualify.

Apply at 339 Avenue C South by August 21st.  Packs can be picked up on September 2nd.

For more information, contact the Centre at 244.6883 or e-mail Laurie Gerein @ laurie.gerein@salvationarmysaskatoon.org

Due to school allowances, Social Services clients may not be eligible.

The 2009 Salvation Army Toy Run

All Motorcycles Welcome

Shiny bikes, revving motors and Santa…in September? Once again Saskatoon’s motorcycling community is working together to collect toys for The Salvation Army’s Christmas Toy Hampers. All interested motorcycle enthusiasts are invited to participate and help to make this the biggest and best Toy Run ever.

Participant Admission: A new, unwrapped toy for The Salvation Army Family Christmas Assistance Program, or monetary donation.

Saturday, September 12, 2009

Where: Prairieland Park (rain or shine) at the Marquis Downs Cook Shack

Pancake Breakfast: 8:00 – 11:00 a.m.

Ride begins at 11:00 a.m. and leaves the cook shack and goes to the Saskatoon Inn.

Enjoy a BBQ at the Saskatoon Inn after the ride.

If you have any questions, talk to Major Henri at 242-6833 (office) or 260-9057 (cell).  You can also contact him via email at henri_regamey@can.salvationarmy.org.