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Weblog:
News from the Salvation Army Community Centre
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." Labels: Emergency Disaster Services, Saskatchewan
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. Labels: Family Services, Saskatchewan
By the numbers
The numbers below give you an idea of what kind of year the Salvation Army Community Centre had in 2008. Our 2007 stats - 6638 beds used
- 67,417 meals served
- 4,055 breakfasts served to high school students
- 3,533 women and children provided with emergency after hours assistance
- 1141 hotel rooms used to provide emergency shelter for women and children
- 228 emergency infant needs provided for
- 4205 Christmas hampers given out
- 2222 people given free clothing
- 219 emergency food hampers distributed
- 70 inner city kids sent to camp
- 113 Family Tracing cases handled
What we did in 2008 It's been quite a year and we want to thank our the Government of Saskatchewan for continued funding, the support of thousands of people making donations at the Centre, via the Christmas kettles, and the Red Shield appeal, and all of the other NGO's in the city that we work with on a daily basis to make Saskatoon a better place to live for people in need. Labels: Affordable Housing, Beaver Creek Camp, Christmas, Emergency Disaster Services, Family Services, Food Services, Life at the Centre, Residential Services, Saskatchewan, Saskatoon
2008 Santa Shuffle Photos
Nathan Regamey took some excellent photographs of the 2008 Santa Shuffle held in Saskatoon on December 6th, 2008. 
The annual Santa Shuffle Fun Run & Elf Walk brings families and friends together. The event is held across North America and we had a record number of runners and walkers taking part in 2008. This merry event helps The Salvation Army to assist families and individuals in need during the Christmas season and throughout the year. A big thanks to everyone who participated in the run and helped make a difference in the lives of Saskatoon families this year! Labels: Christmas, Family Services, Saskatchewan, Saskatoon
Government of Canada Announces $450,000 in support for the Emergency Women’s Shelter in Saskatoon
The Government of Canada announced a $450,000 contribution through the Homelessness Partnering Strategy for the Salvation Army Community Centre to open a women’s shelter on Friday. Canada’s Government is helping families and individuals in Saskatchewan break free from the cycles of homelessness and poverty and build a stronger future for themselves. Mr. Ed Komarnicki, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development and to the Minister of Labour and Member of Parliament for Souris–Moose Mountain, today announced investments in 12 projects in Saskatchewan under the Government’s Homelessness Partnering Strategy (HPS). “Our government is delivering on our commitment to help those who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. We are proud to support community efforts that help find local solutions to local issues,” said Mr. Komarnicki, who made the announcement on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development. “By investing over $1.7 million in these 12 projects across Saskatchewan, we are supporting community efforts to help those in need.” The announcement took place at the Salvation Army Community Centre in Saskatoon, a shelter, food provider and drop-in centre. The organization is receiving HPS funding to help create 42 emergency shelter beds and six temporary cots for women and children. Individuals will benefit by having a safe place to live in which they can access support services and transition out of homelessness. “The Salvation Army Women’s Shelter will provide a safe and supportive environment for women and children in times of crisis, empowering women to take the necessary steps to obtain safe, secure and long-term stable housing for themselves and their families,” said Captain Rhonda Smith, Executive Director of the Salvation Army Community Centre. The Homelessness Partnering Strategy provides funds over two years to help communities across Canada combat homelessness. The HPS recognizes that housing stability is essential to self-sufficiency and full participation in Canadian society. The Strategy focuses on transitional and supportive housing as important measures to help people overcome homelessness. With its clear goals of improved partnerships, enhanced sustainability and tangible results, HPS will provide concrete, meaningful and lasting results for Canadians in need. “Our government is investing more in affordable and supportive housing than any other federal government in Canada’s history and, as a result, we are helping tens of thousands of Canadians who are especially vulnerable in the current economic environment,” said Mr. Komarnicki. The link between homelessness and mental illness is well established. In 2007, Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced the first-ever Mental Health Commission of Canada. In Budget 2008, the Government committed $110 million for the Commission to develop new, innovative demonstration projects to help Canadians facing mental health and homelessness. Labels: homeless, Life at the Centre, Residential Services, Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Women's Shelter
It's cold outside
 If you are in Saskatoon right now, you know that it is awfully cold outside. At the time of writing this post, it was -32 degrees Celsius and with a biting windchill, it is -45 degrees Celsius 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.
- 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 Mark's Workwear House and Sleep Country, our lobbies also have numerous winter jackets to give out to anyone in need.
- 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.
If you are looking for a way to help, there are a couple things you can do to make a difference.
- 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.
- 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). Over the last couple of days, City of Saskatoon, bank, and other service agencies have all brought people in. 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.
- 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.
Labels: Residential Services, Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, winter
Evacuating
As CBC reports, around 1100 people from Stony Rapids, Black Lake, Uranium City, Pelican Narrows and Sandy Bay are being forced to flee their homes with almost 700 people coming to Saskatoon. The Salvation Army Community Centre is assisting with evacuation efforts by helping house, feed, and offer up assistance in any way the residents need. If you are interested in volunteering with relief efforts, please call the Centre at 242-6833 and talk to Crystal. Labels: Emergency Disaster Services, Saskatchewan, Saskatoon
Task Force on Affordable Housing
Funding for shelters in Prince Albert and Moose Jaw
The Salvation Army in Prince Albert was awarded a grant of $300,000 to help construct a facility to house women between the ages of 16 and 30. In Moose Jaw, the Hope Inn — purchased, renovated and furnished by the Salvation Army through a $238,280 grant from the federal government — will be a safe place for people age 16 to 24 to live while going through treatment for addictions Labels: homeless, Saskatchewan
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