SASKATOON —United Way of Saskatoon and Area answered the Saskatoon Tribal Council’s call by making a $65,000 donation, money that would help fund the operations of the Wellness Centre that opened last month.
STC Chief Mark Arcand received the ceremonial cheque from United Way-Saskatoon Chief Executive Officer Sheri Benson last Monday at the temporary housing facility, which also offers addiction and mental health counselling, located in cowntown.
The Wellness Centre has been operating almost at full capacity or at slightly over capacity between 50 to 56 since opening its doors Dec. 15. The money will support individuals who are currently experiencing homelessness.
Arcand thanked United Way for the gesture adding the money will go a long way in helping relatives at the Wellness Centre and address homelessness in the city.
"Homelessness and its related issues are community issues that require community solutions. Donations from community partners provide a solution that goes a long way in ensuring we help as many relatives as possible. Together, we are making a difference in peoples' lives so they can have a better quality of life," said Arcand.
Benson said United Way, with the help of generous donors, is committed to help groups like STC to get funds that would help the operational costs of facilities like the Wellness Centre. She added the pandemic was another issue that worsened homelessness.
"Access to safe and affordable housing is a significant and growing issue in Saskatoon, and the severity of the situation has only worsened because of COVID-19. We are thankful to community leaders such as the [STC] for addressing the immediate needs of Saskatoon's most vulnerable homeless citizens, especially during the frigid winter months. I hope by coming on board as a funder of the Emergency Wellness Centre, United Way will inspire others to help, because everyone deserves a safe place to call home," said Benson.
United Way — through its financial investments, community partnerships, public awareness and government advocacy — is also doing its share to tackle homelessness in the city as well as the often considered contributing factors of education inequality, mental health and racism.
United Way also has a housing initiative called Journey Home that helps individuals get a place that they can call home and receive physical and mental health counselling without the barriers often encountered.
Arcand said they have also received in-kind donations like clothes for the winter and food items from the community since they began operations. They are also now financially stable in operating the Wellness Centre.
“But we’re going to set up a system, so people can come and donate things that would help those who are in dire need … We have some discussions internally but we’re not in a big rush and we’re not holding the provincial government to say, ‘we need your income support of $70 per diem.' We’re just gathering all the data,” added Arcand.
