The Saskatoon Tribal Council says the United Way has made a significant donation to the organization’s Wellness Centre.
STC opened the building last month to help people in the city experiencing homelessness during the cold winter months.
The STC announced on Monday that the United Way of Saskatoon has made a donation of $65,000 to help keep the centre open through the winter.
“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,” said Sheri Benson, CEO of the United Way of Saskatoon, in a media release. “We are thankful to community leaders such as the Saskatoon Tribal Council for addressing the immediate needs of Saskatoon’s most vulnerable homeless citizens, especially during the frigid winter months. I hope by coming onboard as a funder of the Emergency Wellness Centre, United Way will inspire others to help because everyone deserves a safe place to call home.”
According to the tribal council, the centre has been slightly over capacity ever since its opening on December 15th. The STC says the centre has been housing between 50-56 people every day since opening or as the STC calls them “relatives.”
“The Saskatoon Tribal Council is appreciative for the kindness and generosity of the donation from the United Way of Saskatoon that will directly support our relatives at the Wellness Centre,” said Tribal Chief Mark Arcand in the media release. “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.”
The STC says the wellness centre continues to be a short-term solution and they are looking at long-term solutions for the future.
(PHOTO: STC Chief Mark Arcand and United Way CEO Sherri Benson pose with the $65,000 donation. Photo provided by the STC.)