YWCA seeks permanent site in city for facility

A new emergency shelter for women, which opened in Regina last week, is looking for a permanent space and will receive financial support from the province to help in its quest.

“These spaces will provide vulnerable women in our community safety and wraparound trauma informed services,” YWCA Regina CEO Melissa Coomber-bendtsen said in a news release issued by the Government of Saskatchewan on Wednesday.

Joan's Place, as it is called, is temporarily located at 2735 5th Ave. and opened Feb. 23, the release states, noting the City of Regina is working on identifying a permanent space for the new “enhanced” shelter operated by the YWCA.

“Enhanced Emergency Shelters provide clients with full access to shelter (24 hours per day, seven days per week). Clients are also provided three meals per day, case planning and access to wraparound supports to address wellness and cultural needs, with assistance in connecting to services such as financial supports and help to transition to appropriate housing,” the release states.

“Connections to financial supports include onsite services provided by the (Social Services) ministry's mobile workforce team in partnership with the YWCA Regina.”

The province will provide $884,400 in support of the new permanent shelter, which is meant to have 20 spaces available, according to the release.

This money is part of the already announced “Provincial Approach to Homelessness,” which, according to the release, is meant to “create 155 new supportive housing spaces, 120 new permanent emergency shelter spaces, and enhance community safety and outreach responses that include 30 new complex needs emergency shelter spaces.

“We value the YWCA Regina's unwavering commitment to fostering positive change and building a stronger, more resilient community through collaboration and care,” Mayor Sandra Masters said in the release.