Prairie Harm Reduction opens Saskatoon warm-up centre
Saskatoon’s Prairie Harm Reduction has opened an overnight warm-up space for those in need.
Executive Director Kayla DeMong said they’ll be open 24 hours a day, seven days a week in the Pleasant Hill neighbourhood.
“Allowing people who do not have somewhere to go and who do not have access to somewhere warm overnight … a place to be safe and access to supports,” she told CTV News.
She said they’ve been part of the city’s Cold Weather Strategy for a number of years and have always offered their space if needed.
“We have a space that people already feel comfortable in. It’s already open until 10:30 at night and we would be more than willing to extend those hours. And are very grateful that this year we were able to access funding to do so.”
However, the space is not a shelter, she said.
“There are no beds here. It is just our drop-in centre so people can come in and get food and hang out on the couches or chairs and utilize the space, but it’s not a shelter space.”
The space has accommodated up to 60 people at one time, but there is room for more if needed, DeMong said.
“We can rearrange things to accommodate a few more overnight if need be. We have some overflow space that can be utilized.”
DeMong said they’ve hired new staff and created new positions in preparation for the change.
“We’ve moved around people into new positions to make sure we have all the shifts covered and that we have proper staffing for each of them. It’s been lots of training this week, lots of getting everybody settled and orientated so that we can hit the ground running as quickly as possible.”
She said the space should be open next Wednesday.
“I’m really grateful that Prairie Harm Reduction is able to fill this need for the community.”
With files from Miriam Valdes-Carletti
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'Too young to have breast cancer': Rates among young Canadian women rising
Breast cancer rates are rising in Canada among women in their 20s, 30s and 40s, according to research by the University of Ottawa (uOttawa).
Minister 'outraged' after AFN national chief's headdress taken from Air Canada cabin
The federal minister of Crown-Indigenous relations is calling on Air Canada to 'make things right' with the national chief of the Assembly of First Nations, who said her headdress was removed from an airplane cabin during a flight this week.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Canada recognizes housing as a human right. Few provinces have followed suit
As more Canadians find themselves struggling to afford or find housing, the country's smallest province is the only one that can point to legislation recognizing housing as a human right.
What to know about avian influenza in dairy cows and the risk to humans
Why is H5N1, or bird flu, a concern, how does it spread, and is there a vaccine? Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions about avian influenza.
'Violation': CSIS had officer investigated after she reported a superior raped her
A CSIS officer's allegations that she was raped repeatedly by a superior in agency vehicles set off a harassment inquiry, but also triggered an investigation into her that concluded the alleged attacks were a “misuse” of agency vehicles by the woman.
Pro-plastic lobbyist presence at UN talks is 'troubling,' say advocates
Environmentalist groups are sounding the alarm about a steep increase in the number of pro-plastic lobbyists at the UN pollution talks taking place this week.