Why 'Peacekeepers' have been key to the success of Saskatoon Tribal Council's new shelter
The work of staff known as Peacekeepers has been an integral component of the success of the Saskatoon Tribal Council (STC) Wellness Centre, according to an administration report on downtown safety and wellbeing to Saskatoon City Council.
"The Peacekeeper model started as an STC employee who was trained to ensure safety within the Wellness Centre," said the report, to be received as information at Tuesday's meeting.
"The process for people entering the building includes safety measures such as the use of metal wand detection, removal of shoes and removal of exterior bulky clothing. This process is facilitated by the Peacekeepers in a respectful manner."
The report says that with the warmer weather more people are gathering outside, "which is encouraged and welcome." The city and partner agencies are working to mitigate any increase in vandalism, garbage, and open drug use around the exterior of the building.
"An enhanced Peacekeeper model has been implemented to perform perimeter checks every 15 minutes, to communicate with those gathered and play a role in encouraging respect for the public realm," the report says.
Two Peacekeepers are on staff. The STC's goal is to increase that to five Peacekeepers and one maintenance staff every shift, according to the report.
In addition, the Wellness Centre has been offering job opportunities to support relatives on the path from homelessness to shelter to transitional housing.
"Some of the relatives have been provided the opportunity to develop a sense of responsibility through picking up garbage, cleaning windows, sweeping sidewalks, and other tasks," the report says.
The STC is part of a city-led committee working to improve downtown safety and wellbeing. The committee also includes Saskatoon Fire Department, Saskatoon Police Service, the Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design Review Committee, the city's utilities and environment department, Saskatoon Land and the Community Support Program.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
'It was joy': Trapped B.C. orca calf eats seal meat, putting rescue on hold
A rescue operation for an orca calf trapped in a remote tidal lagoon off Vancouver Island has been put on hold after it started eating seal meat thrown in the water for what is believed to be the first time.
Man sets self on fire outside New York court where Trump trial underway
A man set himself on fire on Friday outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump's historic hush-money trial was taking place as jury selection wrapped up, but officials said he did not appear to have been targeting Trump.
Sask. father found guilty of withholding daughter to prevent her from getting COVID-19 vaccine
Michael Gordon Jackson, a Saskatchewan man accused of abducting his daughter to prevent her from getting a COVID-19 vaccine, has been found guilty for contravention of a custody order.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
B.C. judge orders shared dog custody for exes who both 'clearly love Stella'
In a first-of-its-kind ruling, a B.C. judge has awarded a former couple joint custody of their dog.
Saskatoon police to search landfill for remains of woman missing since 2020
Saskatoon police say they will begin searching the city’s landfill for the remains of Mackenzie Lee Trottier, who has been missing for more than three years.
Shivering for health: The myths and truths of ice baths explained
In a climate of social media-endorsed wellness rituals, plunging into cold water has promised to aid muscle recovery, enhance mental health and support immune system function. But the evidence of such benefits sits on thin ice, according to researchers.