Imagine sleeping outdoors with nowhere to go. Bitter winds and cold temperatures can needlessly result in frostbite, hyperthermia and death.
The Ministry of Social Services is working with communities to ensure safe shelter during cold weather through the Cold Weather Strategy. If communities have no shelters available, then they will have access to hotels.
"Saskatchewan winters are dangerous for those without a home or access to shelter," Social Services Minister Lori Carr said. "That is why our government continues to work with our community partners across the province to make sure everyone in need of shelter has a warm and safe place to stay, no matter where they live or when they need help."
Jeff Redekop, executive Director of Income Assistance Service Delivery with the Ministry of Social Services, says, “Individuals or families who require emergency shelter in Moose Jaw should connect with their local income assistance office during business hours. After hours, they can contact the Moose Jaw City Police or the RCMP.”
He continues to say, “Ministry staff will work to connect that individual or family with shelter. That could include a referral to an emergency shelter or, if there are no available shelter spaces in the community that meets their needs, the ministry then can authorize a hotel stay. The ministry can also provide the client with benefits to cover essential expenses such as meals and personal items.”
Rachel Mullens, director of emergency services Riverside Mission in Moose Jaw, says “Our capacity is ten men in our shelter but due to Covid we have had to drop that number to four. We provide them with food, shelter (includes a shower and heat-treating their belongings for bed bugs and laundering their clothing) and clothing if needed. If our shelter is full then we contact other agencies to fill the gap: Social Services and the Police will often step in and help those we do not have room to shelter.”
If you see someone in need of shelter, call 911. Call Moose Jaw Social Services at 306-694-3647 if you find you are in need of assistance. For a full list of shelters go to www.sk.211.ca
