The Warm Welcome shelter held a volunteer appreciation night last week, thanking those who donated time, resources or food to the program that houses Estevan's shelter insecure residents overnight during the cold winter months.
About 35 people, a mix of volunteers and some program administrators, turned out for the evening on April 10 at the Fireside Room in the Days Inn.
The shelter hosts its guests at the Salvation Army and St. Paul's United Church, and in its second year moved from four nights each week to every night. Running from Dec. 1 to March 31, this meant greater stress on the about 65 volunteers who stayed overnight at the shelter, chatting with guests, playing games and ensuring everyone had something to eat in the evenings as well as having breakfast in the morning.
Volunteers at the appreciation event said they have built special connections with the guests who appeared regularly. While some people need the shelter for only a night or two before finding a place to stay there are some in the city who are homeless year round.
One volunteer said the appreciation from the guests was obvious, whether they had the words to express their gratitude for the shelter or not. Guests who see volunteers around the city during the day are quick to say hello and many of the volunteers feel they have made some new friends through the shelter experience.
St. Paul's minister Brenna Nickel thanked the attending group as well as those who couldn't make it to the event, while noting the support of the City of Estevan has been important in increasing acceptance of the homeless shelter.
She also noted that the move to seven nights a week required some more organization to meet the logistical challenges, and that was handled largely by the shelter's hospitality director Terrie Banks, who came on board this year.
Nickel said she was also happy to have the businesses that support the shelter by providing food or laundry service stick with the program as it moved to provide shelter every night, which added extra stress.
The shelter is looking to take the program a little further next winter, likely beginning earlier in November and running later into April, so that will mean more volunteers will be needed as well as cash donations to keep everything running smoothly.
