We've been basking in some unusually warm fall weather this past week, but prairie veterans are not so naïve as to believe it will last. We'll soon be plugging in our vehicles and bundling up against the cold.
Most of us are well equipped to survive a cruel prairie winter, but there was some good news coming out of City Hall this week for the most vulnerable of our community's citizens.
City Manager Jim Puffalt told reporters an announcement will be made soon about the establishment of a homeless shelter. He also said there will be an official opening next month for the new transitional housing (pocket housing) project that has been built on 103rd Street.
A resounding round of applause for all those involved in the establishment of these two important projects. And let's hope the sound of that applause will carry along the airwaves Regina.
The City, frustrated in its efforts to obtain provincial funding for its initiatives to address public safety issues in the community, has struck out on its own. Herb Sutton has been serving as the City's community program co-ordinator since only July and already we see the solving of the longstanding homeless shelter issue in the community.
Other organizations have attempted this feat, but have hit roadblocks too solid to penetrate. While the willingness of the Battlefords Indian Métis Friendship Centre shows their commitment to the well-being of these vulnerable community members, their facility and programming were no doubt stretched to the maximum while providing this service over the past several years.
The pocket housing project was already well underway before Sutton entered the picture, but his influence will come to bear in the days ahead in that aspect of addressing the homeless issue. There are currently 16 to 18 applications for the space there, double the number the facility can accommodate. This illustrates a need for more and Puffalt says work is already underway to access funding for a second facility.
This progress illustrates the community program co-ordinator position, currently a temporary contract, should be permanent and should be supported by provincial funds.
Pay attention, Regina, we're doing some great work here and we'd really appreciate a leg up.
