The Muskowekwan First Nation is partnering with Social Services to provide its first group home setting for troubled youth in Regina.
It’s called Martha Cachene’s Home for Youth and it’s situated in a big house in a nice neighbourhood in northwest Regina. It can accommodate only six youth between the ages of 12 and 15, but it is seen as a good start in a new direction.
4 Directions Child and Family Services will run the home. It has been working on the project for the past year-and-a-half. After reaching a deal with Social Services, they found the house and spent $200,000 renovating it. It is now providing round-the-clock care, direction and guidance for youth who might otherwise be lost in the system. 4 Directions executive director Trudy Shingoose says it is a perfect setting.
“We found this wonderful community, this wonderful neighbourhood,” she says. “We have developed such friendships along this neighbourhood that is really going to help us out in helping us look after these children. It took about six months of renovations, and here we are.”
The province provided the money for the renovations. It is also providing $900,000 in annual funding. Saskatchewan Party MLA Laura Ross justifies the cost.
“There is an investment that has to be made, because otherwise these are youth who have experienced issues, troubles,” she says. “Do you know the long-run costs of not ensuring that we can make a difference so they can change and turn their lives around?”
The home is for both boys and girls. The average stay is about six to nine months. 4 Directions Child and Family Services has been providing stabilization services for youth since 2000. It currently operates two 10-bed homes on the Muskowekwan First Nation, about 100 km northeast of Regina.