MOOSE JAW — A small team of volunteers made a big impact in Moose Jaw last week — all part of a grassroots effort aimed at cleaning up the downtown core while offering a message of healing and purpose.
Recently, the Downtown Moose Jaw Association’s (DMJA) Helping Hands initiative brought volunteers from the John Howard Society to sweep Langdon Crescent clear of litter, broken glass, and debris ahead of the weekend farmers market.
“Alex Carleton, president of the DMJA, pitched this idea to the city last year,” said Shannon Simpson, the Association’s sole full-time employee who led the initiative. “This program runs for 12 weeks. We’re running three days a week right now — Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday — for three hours each day. We pick certain areas in the downtown core each day that need addressing (and we start there).”
This week’s focus on Langdon Crescent was chosen specifically to support the Homegrown Farmers Market, which sets up each Saturday on the block. Simpson and her team worked diligently, sweeping sidewalks, trimming back weeds, and collecting enough bags of trash to fill the box of a pickup truck she provided for the cause. The crew arrived early, with a 7:30 a.m. start to clear gutters before vehicles blocked the parking lanes.
The sight was unusual enough to draw one nearby resident out of her home to investigate, though she asked not to be named.
“They were just out there, going to town and doing a lovely cleanup job,” she said. “I thought that it was wonderful, and I wanted to express my thanks.”
The current group of volunteers, who are part of a John Howard Society sobriety program, spoke candidly about the personal impact the program has had on them. While they declined to be named, several shared that participating has helped them stay focused on recovery.
“We’re recovering addicts … (this program helps by) just getting us out and keeping us busy … instead of going out and using (drugs) or something,” said one volunteer. “It’s something to look forward to.”
Another added, in good spirits, “Now that we’re not all messed up (on drugs), we’ve got all the energy we need.”
The volunteers consistently show up early — often around 20 minutes before Simpson herself — and take great pride in their work. Together, they’ve helped tackle some of the city’s most pressing street-level concerns, from drug paraphernalia to vandalized planters along Main Street North.
“Usually on Mondays we try to pick up garbage, because over the weekend there’s usually quite a bit dispersed,” Simpson explained. “We’re getting everything from needles off the street, to glass and blood trails … There was a fresh blood trail one time on River Street, so we had to phone the cops.”
One volunteer pointed out that toothpicks are one of the more common items he found so far.
The weekend before, Simpson said somebody had ripped out several newly planted flowers in downtown hanging baskets and scattered them up and down the street. “That was what we actually focused on yesterday — picking up all of the flowers, and there was a ton of dirt everywhere.”
Despite these challenges, Simpson said the volunteers have embraced the work with enthusiasm and care.
“It shows how much they actually care … (and) it’s great for these guys,” she said. “I think it’s one of the best programs Moose Jaw has running.”
Looking ahead, Simpson said cleanup locations are decided based on upcoming events or current community needs.
To learn more about the Downtown Moose Jaw Association, visit DowntownMooseJaw.ca.
