Winter in Saskatoon

If you are in Saskatoon right now, you just survived a really cold snap and even though it has warmed up quite a bit, it is still cold outside.

Many people phone and e-mail and ask what do we do when it gets this cold.  Well we do a bunch of things to make sure that no one is left out in the cold.

• During the day we open our lounge up for clients so they can stay out of the cold.  While normally we close down the place for cleaning during the day, when it is this cold, it stays open all day so guys do not have to go outside.  As soon as the dorms and washrooms are cleaned, we open all of them back up for the men so they can have some more space to relax, catch up on some sleep, or read.
• People naturally assume that we get a lot busier when it gets this cold but generally it is a little quieter (people tend to hunker down and stay put when it is this cold).  If we do get busier, we would make available our entire building rather than refuse someone (we hate refusing anyone on the basis of space at the best of times but in the winter we make sure that no one is going to freeze).  Years ago I took a tour of an old Soviet submarine.  It had bunks on the engines and the torpedoes.  While the Centre doesn't have torpedoes, we will put a mattress and a bunk anywhere if it means that no one is left out in the cold.  If we do run out of room, we put clients up in local hotels.
• We work with Larson House and the Saskatoon City Police to ensure people who are intoxicated or high are taken care of if they do wander into our place.  Speaking of the Saskatoon City Police, officers do bring in people that do not have shelter or who have been found in shelter that isn't suitable for the weather outside.  We warm them up, give them suitable winter gear, and give them a safe place to sleep.  Outside of the city limits, the local RCMP does the same thing with hitchhikers.  They bring them down and we help them out.
• Our Clothing Cave is generally open Monday, Wednesday, and Friday but in cold weather we outfit people any time they need it.  At both of our reception areas we have mitts, toques, scarves, socks, and thanks to the generous donations of the people of Saskatoon.
• While this doesn't happen just because it is really cold out, once the temperature starts to dip a bit, the kitchen staff bring out the porridge and oat meal.  Wilfred Brimley would be proud. When it is cold like this the kitchen tends to heap up the portions and serves bigger meals to compensate for the calories burned to stay warm.

Despite our best efforts, there are still people choosing to be outside this winter.  We know many of them through their past stays with us or through our drop in programs during the day and on the weekend evenings.  At every opportunity we invite them to come and stay with us or we work at finding other sleeping arrangements for them if we are not their best option.  It’s an ongoing process but one we continue to ensure that those who are in the cold have safe and warm accommodations during our winter.  Even for those who refuse our offers of warmth, we provide blankets, warm (or warmer) clothing and winter gear to help them keep warm.

If you are looking for a way to help, there are a couple things you can do to make a difference.

1. Donate.  Whether it be a financial donation or if you have a warm winter jacket, socks, toques, gloves, men's underwear (and long underwear) or a scarf, it all helps out.  You can drop off a donation at 339 Avenue C South anytime, day or night.  When it is this cold we give out the stuff as soon as it comes in so whatever you can give, our clients appreciate tremendously.
2. Direct people panhandling or who are in need to us.  At this temperature we do not turn anyone away and we work with the Ministry of Social Services to ensure all of their essential needs are met.  A warm bed and three and a half meals a day are provided (we provide a filling snack at night as well).  If the person needs a different agency or more help then we can offer, we keep them safe, warm, and comfortable while we arrange whatever help is needed.
3. Help spread the news about what we do.  Despite being here for over 100 years, some people don't know that there is a men's hostel in town or that we help women in emergency need.  We work hard at getting the word out but we can always use your help as well.

Fall Supper at the Salvation Army Community Centre

The Salvation Army Community Centre is hosting a Fall Supper on October 17 at 5:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.

Cost: $10.00 per person which includes turkey, ham, and all the fixings.

The proceeds go to fund the Nutana Breakfast Program and the Afternoon Coffee House.

Tickets are available from Phyllis at Nutana Collegiate or Sylvia (sylvia.stevenson@salvationarmysaskatoon.org) at the Salvation Army Community Centre.

Information on this event and other events at the Salvation Army Community Centre can be found here.

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.

On the road again

The Salvation Army Breakfast Van is going mobile! 

Starting on Monday, June 29th, the van is stopping at four locations each Monday | Wednesday | Friday

• 8:30 to 8:50 a.m. :: The Bridge on 20th
• 9:00 to 9:15 a.m. :: 525 Avenue I South
• 9:20 to 9:35 a.m. :: King George School
• 9:40 to 9:55 a.m. :: 401 Avenue E South

Garage Sale on Friday

Garage Sale this Friday.  The fun starts at 9:00 a.m.

The Salvation Army Garage Sale and Barbecue

Wednesday, April 29th
10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Hotdogs and Pop are both 50 cents.

Refurbished Broil King barbecues on sale for $5/piece.

It’s all being held at 339 Avenue C South.

Crescent Shuttle Service has been canceled

Saskatoon Transit’s Crescent Shuttle, a free service connecting Riversdale, Broadway and the Downtown, will be cancelled as of June 1, 2008 according to the City of Saskatoon website.  Anyone looking for more information on Transit information can check out the City of Saskatoon's site.

Homelessness Count 2008

The Community University Institute for Social Research needs your help!

On May 22, 2008, the Institute will be conducting a homeless count in specific areas of downtown Saskatoon. The results will passed along to policy-makers and outreach workers with the hope of augmenting services.

For more information or to volunteer, please e-mail: homelesscount2008@gmail.com

Technorati Tags: CUISR,Saskatoon,homelessness

Ministry Weekend | May 23-25, 2008

• Who: The Salvation Army Community Centre together with local churches.
• What: Speakers, bands, and food.
• When May 23-25th, 2008
• Where: Salvation Army Community Centre Parking lot

For more information or to volunteer, please contact Crystal or Cindy at 242-6833

Garage Sale on Tuesday!

Our SAGE classroom is holding a garage sale on Tuesday, April 15th at the Centre. The selection will be HUGE and the prices will be low.

All the proceeds from the sale go to support SAGE and the work they do with high school students at the Centre (it also helps us clear out The Dock) We look forward to seeing you there!

Update: The Garage Sale will be held on Friday, May 2nd.  Same time and same place.

Riversdale Local Area Plan

This is a Public Service Announcement from the City of Saskatoon that may be of interest to some of you.

The City of Saskatoon City Planning Branch is hosting an Open House to showcase the Riversdale Local Area Plan Final Draft Report with the community:

Tuesday, April 15
5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Royal Canadian Legion 606 Spadina Crescent West

This is a drop-in event where the public is welcome anytime during the Open House.
The City of Saskatoon and the Riversdale Local Area Planning Committee (a committee of residents, property owners, business owners and other stakeholders) have been working on a comprehensive plan for Riversdale to help guide the growth and development of the neighbourhood.

Pancake Breakfast

Crocus Co-op is holding a pancake breakfast on May 8th from 7:30 to 10:30 a.m. at 106 Avenue B South. They are recognizing Mental Health Week and everyone is welcome.

Also, for those of you who know our Budget Management worker, Sharon Brown, she is serving pancakes from 9:00 to 9:15 a.m. that Thursday so come on down and see Sharon during her 15 minutes of fame.