The Stepping Stones Shelter has been operating from 8am-8pm since the beginning of November up until tomorrow when they will be open for 24 hours until April.
An increase in staffing and funding has allowed the shelter to extend their hours, in addition to the extended hours there will also be more resources and activities available for clients at the shelter. Some of the resources that will be available are addictions support, cultural activities, identification clinics and more.
“What we were able to do this year that was different than previous years at Stepping Stones is we acquired more space, we expanded the original space from 2020 when we opened,” said Director of Program Development at the shelter Rob Dunlop.
They’ve also added a common area on the main level at Stepping Stones which has a phone for clients to use and a social area for people to take part in activities. Right now, the shelter has the capacity to have 45 clients stay per night.
“We’re working with the city and our other agencies, local MLA Alana Ross and Grand Chief Bryan Hardlotte to advance a permanent shelter location and I’m quite confident that by the time April rolls around we should have a location,” explained Dunlop.
The shelter is currently located at the Prince Albert exhibition grounds but is seeking a permanent year-round location for the spring.
It is accepting donations of clothing and food which can be dropped off directly at the shelter or anyone wanting to donate can call ahead to book a donation drop off time at 306-930-7723.
(Photo courtesy of YWCA Prince Albert website.)