The Executive Director of Lloydminster Native Friendship Centre, Deborah Munroe, in making the case for supports for people who are unhoused, says, “This work matters and it is making a difference.”
Her comments came on Tuesday, March 31 at the launch of the Nitôtêm Resource Centre being proposed by Lloydminster & Vermilion for Equity (LVE).
“They come looking for a way forward. And everyday the staff at the centre show up for them,” says Munroe, who adds they don’t get funding to deal with the unhoused as that is not their mandate. But the Friendship Centre still offers food and resources.
“When people are supported, they begin to believe in stability again. And when that happens, it does not just change their lives; it strengthens our entire community,” says Munroe, noting they have no additional funding and with only 10 staff members have seen 1,833 points of service with unhoused people.
Nitôtêm
The word Nitôtêm (say Nee-Toe-Tem) means “Our friend in Cree, explains Tigra-Lee Campbell, Co-Founder and President of LVE.
“Our funding is to reduce Indigenous homelessness. So, we felt that connection to language and culture was very important, especially when we are trying to work towards reconciliation.”
The Métis Nation of Saskatchewan (MNS) is contributing $500,000 to buying the building and renovations. The Rural Development Network is adding $150,000 for operational costs.
“My vision is for it (the centre) to help anyone in need,” adds Campbell.
The funding from MNS is one-time funding and the contribution from Rural Development Network is multi-year, notes Tamara Dancy, LVE Director, who will lend her talent towards casework when she completes her social work degree next year.
Zoning permit
LVE has applied to city administration seeking to obtain the required development permit for the building at 4920 – 50 Street. The non-profit has 21 days to get the supporting documents. Businesses within 200 metres will be made aware of the proposed development. Each unit on the upper floor has two rooms which will be used to house four people.
“The first unit will be post-detox free treatment – that gap between detox and treatment,” says Campbell. When clients return from treatment, they will be housed in the second unit.
“It will make for a 90-day turnaround. So, we can do casework with them and help to get them into permanent housing, or other supports,” adds Campbell.
LVE will continue to work with community partners.
“We can’t do everything. The goal of community is collaboration,” says Campbell.
Come as you are, my friend
Stressing their focus remains the unhoused, Campbell notes it is not a safe consumption site, nor a shelter. It will operate from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Wednesday to Sunday, with Thursday operation being 1:00-9:00 p.m. to allow for Street Team outreach and the community meal.
“They can come as they are, but at the end of the day, the goal is still recovery,” says Campbell.
There will not be a requirement for sobriety, but the goal remains to work towards recovery while providing a safe space.
“We still think that you deserve services, resources, and love,” says Campbell.
Extreme weather
With the mobile warming shelter being operated during the cold months by LVE, Campbell notes another goal of being able to open a building.
“With the mobile warming shelter, there are only 15 seats on that bus. And there are 70 people who are completely unhoused in Lloydminster,” says Campbell. “If we are able to open an actual building, with a warming shelter then we can accommodate all 70 of those people.”
The City of Lloydminster pays the cost of operating the mobile warming bus.
Community engagement
LVE has held a community engagement session and has switched to one-on-one meetings with surrounding businesses.
Once approvals are obtained from the city, LVE hopes to open the resource centre in the summer. It will be operated by a mix of staff and volunteers.
Volunteers needed
LVE will host a Volunteer Orientation session on Saturday, April 25 from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Lloydminster Native Friendship Centre. Lunch will be provided.
