logo
ENع
#

Latest news with #CynthiaBlock

‘It works well for the need': Salvation Army celebrates century of service in Saskatoon
‘It works well for the need': Salvation Army celebrates century of service in Saskatoon

CTV News

time7 days ago

  • General
  • CTV News

‘It works well for the need': Salvation Army celebrates century of service in Saskatoon

Saturday marked the 100th anniversary of the Salvation Army and its work in Saskatoon. The milestone was celebrated with a street fair at its Avenue C location. The Salvation Army Saskatoon Temple Brass Band kicked off festivities, and the event featured Mayor Cynthia Block, MLA for Saskatoon Southeast Brittney Senger, and Saskatoon West Member of Parliament Brad Redekopp. Services have been offered to the community out of the current building on the corner of Avenue C and 19th Street since 1925. Crossroads Residential Services executive director Major Gord Taylor told CTV News it would be interesting to know why this location was chosen a hundred years ago, since the location now is so crucial to the needs of the core community. 'It works well for the need. Now, we're kind of between downtown and the Pleasant Hill neighbourhood, and we get people from both directions who need help, and we're able to help them out and do the best we can,' he said. Gordon Taylor Gordon Taylor, a member of the Salvation Army Saskatoon Temple Brass Band, performs during Saturday's celebration. (Carla Shynkaruk/CTV News) While the Salvation Army has been operating in Saskatoon since the late 1800s, the Riversdale building has served many purposes over the years. It was a thrift store, a family services center, and an addiction treatment program. The Crossroads building currently operates as a 75-bed emergency men's shelter, as well as transitional housing, a warming shelter, and a group home. The work the Salvation Army has done has evolved and changed with the times, but currently the type of drug addiction being seen on the streets is a challenge it's working every day to tackle. 'The biggest change I've seen is the type of drugs that are out there on the street, and the type of effect they have on people's behavior—that's been the most challenging change I've seen, which has caused a lot of the problems we're seeing in most communities across the country,' Taylor said. Staff gave tours of the facility throughout the afternoon, including a historical display of the Salvation Army's work out of the building dating back to 1925. The Salvation Army is an international Christian organization that is the largest non-governmental direct provider of social services in Canada.

‘It's devastating' Saskatoon homeless count finds staggering rise in unhoused children
‘It's devastating' Saskatoon homeless count finds staggering rise in unhoused children

CTV News

time28-05-2025

  • General
  • CTV News

‘It's devastating' Saskatoon homeless count finds staggering rise in unhoused children

The city of Saskatoon's most recent point in time (PIT) count shows that the unhoused population has nearly tripled in two years, with a total of 1,499. 'It's devastating. It's heartbreaking. It's unacceptable. And it's a call to action,' said Saskatoon mayor, Cynthia Block. Conducted last October, over 200 volunteers counted and surveyed individuals experiencing homelessness. Now, the findings of that count have been analyzed and broken down for public use. One of the most notable findings includes the 315 children (aged 0-12) who were counted. This is a staggering jump from the previous count two years prior, which accounted for 26 children. 'We've got we don't change this now, in the next ten years, they'll still be in the same situation and potentially their kids. The system will just continue,' Chief Mark Arcand, of the Saskatoon Tribal Council said. Lesley Anderson, director of planning & development for the City of Saskatoon shared that during the count, efforts were made to check in with transitional supportive housing. Many of these facilities served children, who reported being unhoused. 'That has a very limited time frame. That's typically a 90 day stay. So it's not secure. It's not long term. It doesn't provide for that stability. But we do know that there are both children that are on the street, that are with either their families or some alone,' In addition to the children counted, 175 youth (aged 13-24) were counted. Here are the results broken down by age: 21 percent Children (0-12) 11.71 percent youth (13-24) 50.1 percent adults (25-64) 1.7 percent seniors (65+) 15.5 percent did not specify Another concerning statistic is the fact that 80 percent of those experiencing homelessness are Indigenous. This is a staggering over representation compared to the fact that the Indigenous population makes up only 12 percent of Saskatoon's population. 'This is not an Indigenous issue. This is a community issue. This is a provincial issue. This is a national issue, but it is all of us. Unless or until people have housing, have homes, have those wraparound supports, this isn't going to change and it is unacceptable,' Block said. When it comes to the contributing factors which lead to those surveyed being unhoused, various health challenges were reported: 82.3 percent dealing with substance abuse issues 60.6 percent experienced mental health issues 57.3 percent living with illness or medical condition 48 percent have a physical limitation 39.2 have a learning or cognitive limitation Anderson added that the stories of each person surveyed were unique. But there were some common themes in terms of how individuals found themselves without shelter. 'Evictions were noted as the main factor contributing to homelessness. While insufficient income is also a contributor for many,' Anderson said While the results are alarming, Block expressed that the report itself is crucial when it comes to implementing change. 'When we have truth, we can do better because we understand the problem like this one are actually helpful because it does help us understand what the real problem is. It does help us understand that we may need to pivot in order to achieve what is necessary,' Block said. Officials in attendance all agreed that the results of the PIT count display a clear need for systemic change. 'We have to change a system. We have to have partners and people that are willing to roll up their sleeves and have the tough discussions,' Arcand said. Premier Scott Moe spoke to the topic during a press conference on Tuesday morning, where he expressed concern over the fact that over 80 percent of those counted reported dealing with addiction issues. 'We need to take a very holistic approach in providing recovery opportunities for those individuals. Enforcing the law when it comes to individuals that are bringing those poisons into our communities. And providing assisted, supportive, transitional housing for those that are making every effort in their recovery journey,' Moe said. Mayor Block expressed that the necessary solutions to the problem will require action from all levels of government. 'Municipalities are on the front lines of homelessness, but we do not have all the tools to solve it. We don't do health care, we don't do social services. These are the primary responsibilities of the provincial government, and we are working earnestly with them to help to frame a different way forward,' Block said. Arcand added that these numbers are showing a need for change, and there will need to be collaboration from various organizations in order to see that happen. 'It's like a cry for help. In my opinion, when we almost triple in two years I look at it failures about how we can change systems. But it takes an investment to help people,' Arcand said.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store