Saskatoon homelessness challenge raises money to help pregnant HIV-positive women

The 10 Sanctum Survivor participants. Photo courtesy Twitter, @brad_johner

A number of well-known Aboriginal names are taking part in a 36-hour homelessness challenge called Sanctum Survivor.

Among the 10 competitors are former police officer Ernie Louttit, Saskatoon Tribal Council Chief Felix Thomas, and President of Central Urban Metis Federation Shirley Isbester.

The fundraiser for the Saskatoon-based HIV transitional care home borrows from the TV show Survivor – with challenges that competitors must complete. So far this morning, they’ve done laundry and the other challenges will focus on what homeless people deal with every day.

The 10-bed Sanctum facility opened late last year. It’s the first of its kind in Saskatchewan and is designed to help people living with HIV who are struggling to manage their symptoms due to homelessness, poverty, addictions, or mental health.

Right now, Sanctum is aiming to open a Sanctum 1.5, a ten bed, HIV pre-natal care home that will support high-risk, HIV positive, pregnant women.

For more information on how to donate, go to Sanctum’s website.

To follow the competitors throughout Friday and Saturday, check out Twitter.