‘It can happen to any of us’: Nipawin Oasis Centre, Melfort’s Marguerite Riel Centre helping those in need this winter

“We also provide supper and breakfast for shelter participants,” Hanson said. “For families, we provide kitchens that assist with food security.”

Emergent food and needs are provided on a case-by-case basis.

The centre also provides other basic needs, including winter clothing, hygiene items, and undergarments. Oasis also helps people to obtain IDs, assists with housing applications, has landlord lists, and helps with treatment or detox applications. They also assist with housing program supports to move people from shelter into permanent housing.

“Since October 1, we have permanently housed four people who had been accessing the shelter,” Hanson said.

The Oasis Centre also provides a family support program that serves about 60 families per month, featuring a weekly culture program and transportation for medical or emergency needs in Nipawin.

The shelter is open nightly from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m., and since Oct. 1, 59 different people have accessed the shelter, averaging from 15 to 19 per night. Two nights per week, the centre hosts a healing circle and an AA meeting with an Elder.

Hanson said having a place for people to go is critical, and without it the risks of frostbite, exhaustion, illness, and death increase.

Despite the strong programming the Oasis Centre provides, there are challenges.

“We struggle with a place for people to go during the day. It is very limited in Nipawin – most wander the streets and warm up at one of the businesses,” Hanson said. “Unfortunately, we don’t have the space to provide a warm-up space of any duration during the day.”

The need for these types of supports is growing, Hanson said.

“We are seeing not only individuals, but families in crisis who need shelter, food, and basic supports.”

The Nipawin Oasis Centre has been approved by the Town of Nipawin to add on to their building to provide a dedicated space for the shelter and also a multi-purpose use. They have written a grant and are awaiting approval from the federal government. Hanson said they haven’t approached other funders yet, as they are awaiting word on the grant.

Hanson said the community and surrounding areas have been incredibly generous with donations of money, time, food, and items, and donations are always accepted.

She added the people that need the services Oasis provides are just like you and me.

“People don’t fall into crisis overnight. It can happen to any of us. What makes the difference is a community that cares and supports one another.

In Melfort, the Marguerite Riel Centre does a lot of heavy lifting as it comes to helping those in need as the temperature drops.

Executive Director Joanne Yakowec said they have just hired new outreach staff and will have a schedule for after-hours outreach starting in January.

“Until then the main Centre is available between 9 and 5 for anyone that’s homeless, needing to warm up, have a hot meal or coffee,” Yakowec said. “We also have warm clothing or blankets available.”

The Centre recently received a generous donation from The Bargain Shop Melfort and community members, which will help those in need during the winter months.

“We have also had community organizations and individuals donate hygiene and care bags,” she said. “Our outdoor food box has food and blankets set out for the evenings and weekends.” Yakowec said those items generally go very quickly.

The Marguerite Riel Centre’s wellness centre across the street from their main office on Burrows Ave. W. may be open on cold evenings, and Yakowec suggest keeping an eye on their social media pages to see when that is available until the schedule is set for January.

Anyone with questions about the Marguerite Riel Centre’s services and supports can contact them during regular office hours.

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cam.lee@pattisonmedia.com

by Cam Lee

‘It can happen to any of us’: Nipawin Oasis Centre, Melfort’s Marguerite Riel Centre helping those in need this winter

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