MOOSE JAW — Willow Lodge received a $10,000 boost from the Saskatchewan Gaming Authority (SaskGaming) on behalf of the provincial government this month, directly supporting individuals in the shelter’s care.
The cheque was presented recently at the 15-bed venue, which is operated by the John Howard Society of Saskatchewan. Open for a year and a half, Willow Lodge has run near capacity while offering low-barrier support to people experiencing homelessness.
John Fraser, CEO of the John Howard Society of Saskatchewan, said the funds will fill important gaps not covered under the organization’s provincial operating contract.
“We’re just really honoured — receiving this money will go a long way. (Casino Moose Jaw) plays an important role in the city … it’s nice to see them giving back to the community,” Fraser said.
“We’ve just been overwhelmed by so much community support,” he continued. “You know, it’s a difficult situation. Homelessness is difficult for the people experiencing it, and also the people around it who … live in a city that didn’t used to have much homelessness … but constantly, we’re reminded of the heart of Moose Jaw and all the people that care ….”
He emphasized that the donation would go directly toward the needs of shelter clients.
“We’re funded by the province to operate the shelter, but there are some needs outside the contract that we need,” he said. “This will go a long way to help cover some of those gaps.”
Crystal Peterson, manager of housing with the John Howard Society and manager of Willow Lodge, said she already has a few plans for the added funding.
“We’re in desperate need for a second set of bedding, so I’m excited to be able to buy that second set. We have a very limited food budget, so I’m hoping to bring in some more hearty options too, because the guests who come are always looking for calories,” she said of the coed facility. Peterson also listed a few fans for some additional comfort and air purifiers as immediate candidates.
“We opened up a year and a half ago with 15 beds, and we’ve been running at 80 per cent capacity throughout the whole time that we’ve been open,” she added. “We’re very low barrier — we let everybody in. Lots of people are struggling with mental illness, and we see lots of people with addiction — it’s just a safe space for them to be, because walking on the streets isn’t safe for them. This gives them a fresh start to their next day.”
Fraser added that he sees Willow Lodge as a successful model for how shelters can function in Saskatchewan, crediting both staff and the community for its support.
He elaborated, stating that the discreet location for Willow Lodge helps reduce stigma, while the shelter’s smaller scale allows staff to know clients on a first-name basis and maintain accountability. Just as important, he said, Willow Lodge works closely with partners — including the John Howard Society — to help move people into supportive housing and other next steps, preventing the shelter from becoming permanently over capacity.
Peterson echoed the importance of this community involvement.
“I want to give a shout-out to SaskGaming. It’s pretty cool for them to see the need and the good work that our team at Willow Lodge is doing,” she said. “I always want to thank the community — without the community’s support, we’re nothing … we see so many people coming out, donating their time, goods, and just getting to know our guests’ names and giving them that sense of belonging. It’s pretty cool.”
To learn more, visit JohnHoward.ca. Willow Lodge is located at 83 Ominica Street West.
