Scattered Site Outreach Program in La Ronge may be looking for a new facility.
This comes after concerns were raised by the group that funds the program. The worry is that they have outgrown the facility.
Scattered Site offers services to people in the tri-community area that need extra support. The program offers showers, washrooms, laundry, and assistance navigating social services. They also offer temporary homeless emergency shelter.
“The building that we are in doesn’t really meet our needs,” says Modeste McKenzie, a Community Outreach Worker at Scattered Site. “We need a larger space and a newer building.”
He adds that the downtown La Ronge area is a hub for a lot of their clients.
The organization will be addressing La Ronge Town Council next week in hopes of achieving a ‘letter of support’ to present the potential funders. This will hopefully prove that the transition into a new location will run smoothly.
The meeting will present the opportunity for both parties to make suggestions and concerns.
McKenzie says they want to stay in the area of La Ronge Avenue and a town by-law requires the temporary homeless emergency shelter to remain in the ‘C1 zoning’ area in La Ronge.
The C1 zoning area is designated for ‘general commercial’ use buildings that stretches the length of La Ronge Avenue.
“We want to stick to a location that is close to the clinics,” explains McKenzie. “That is essential because a significant number of our clients access the methadone program, so when they go for their methadone in the morning, they can come here for breakfast and access the services we offer.”
He hopes to have some proposals prepared by the end of the fiscal year to get the ball rolling on finding a new building.
Last month they served 1600 warm meals to their clients, and approximately 10,000 per year since 2014.
McKenzie says that their organization runs off of donations and they face the pressure on a daily basis.
Recently, they found themselves with bare cupboards, which were only re-stocked because of two very generous donations.
“It’s cold out there and Christmas is right around the corner,” says McKenzie. “If they (community members) have anything they could spare, whether it be a can of soup or perhaps their time, it would be greatly appreciated. Look out for one another out there.”
The meeting with La Ronge Town Council will take place Wednesday, December 12th at 7:00 pm at La Ronge Council Chamber.
(Photo submitted by Modeste McKenzie.)