MEDIA RELEASE October 20, 2009
For Immediate Release
YWCA Annual General Meeting and Crisis Shelter & Residence – Residence Open House
YWCA programming in all departments proving successful, yet prospective shelter users outpace capacity by more than 300%, indicating a growing crisis for the City of Saskatoon.
Over 3300 women and children were turned away from YWCA Saskatoon’s Crisis Shelter & Residence last year. This more than doubled the previous year’s turn away rate, marking the third year in a row of skyrocketing numbers of women and families fleeing homelessness, poverty and violence. Two years ago, 659 were turned away, last year that number climbed to 1468 and this year it reached an unprecedented 3334. Current economic growth in Saskatoon is forcing many out onto the streets and families are in crisis. YWCA Saskatoon sees the truth of this everyday and wants individuals, businesses and the government to recognize that current efforts are just not enough – more must be done.
“We have embarked on new programming this year aimed at helping individuals break the cycles of poverty, homelessness and violence,” says Barb Macpherson, Executive Director, YWCA Saskatoon. “We are focusing on helping individuals through crisis and supporting clients from all our departments toward independence, self sufficiency and security. And it’s working, but it isn’t enough. We can’t fight this fight alone.” The numbers of clients accessing YWCA Saskatoon services is growing much too quickly, pointing out a growing crisis in the community.
All levels of government and many community-based organizations (CBO’s) have done good work on various aspects of these problems. However, problems continue to escalate at an alarming rate. None can keep up with the growing need, highlighting the current system’s inadequacies. The growth of Alberta over the past 10 years, and the resulting crises they are facing in the areas of poverty, homelessness and violence should serve as an indicator of what will come for Saskatchewan if the status quo continues. With support from the federal government, the provincial government needs to act now to lead the creation of a long-range, coordinated, province-wide, multisectoral plan to eliminate homelessness and reduce poverty.
YWCA Saskatoon has achieved success in a number of initiatives in its most recent fiscal year. The Turning Points Program and healing and counselling programs at the Crisis Shelter and Residence have seen clients successfully transition from supported to independent living, secure affordable and safe housing, and walk away from situations of violence. The Employment Services for Parents and Job Search programs in the Employment and Learning Centre have resulted in large numbers of clients successfully gaining employment. These programs are preparing individuals to become successful and independent, ready to take on the next challenge in their lives. YWCA Saskatoon is seeing success in its initiatives, but calls on the government, businesses and individuals to recognize the growing issues facing many individuals within our city, and our province.
Join us October 21 for our AGM and Turning Points Open House
YWCA Saskatoon AGM
Time: 5:00 Location: 510 – 25th Street East
Crisis Shelter & Residence:
Turning Points Open House & Residence 3:30 – 4:15 Tour Residence • 4:15 Turning Points Presentation • 4:30 Tour Residence
Genine Neufeld
Director of Development and Communications
YWCA Saskatoon
Ph: 244-7034 ext. 132
E: geneufeld@ywcasaskatoon.com
YWCA Saskatoon
510 25th Street East, Saskatoon, SK S7k 4A7 306 244 0944 www.ywcasaskatoon.com
Crisis Shelter & Residence • Employment & Learning Centre • Child Development Centre • Fitness on 25th
