The Lighthouse Supported living became a registered charity in 1992. Originally it was started to provide shelter to low income seniors and was then called "The Voyageur Club". The charity was kickstarted in 1997 when a local businessman donated the use of the Capri hotel building for the project. With time the project focus grew to encompass supported all at risk people in the Saskatoon area and in 2007 the name was changed to The Lighthouse Supported Living.
Mission Statement
"The Lighthouse exists to help people reach their potential by providing emergency shelter, supported living, and affordable housing for anyone who is in need of a place to call home."
Programs
Emergency Shelter
- The building consists of separate dorms for men and women 16 years and older. Individuals who would otherwise be homeless may utilize the rooms or individuals who need the safety of the dorms. Another option for those who do not qualify for the dorms or who do not do well in such a setting the "Urban Rest Stop" is available which offers basic shelter.
Long-Term Supportive Housing
- Based in what was formerly Capri Hotel, now Dube Lighthouse, features 64 rooms, the suites have a separate entrance and often house individuals with physical or cognitive disabilities or whom are overcoming addictions.
Affordable Housing
- The newer East tower was opened in 2012 and includes 58 one and two bedroom suites, classroom area, common area, and a large dining room which is available to all residents.
Transitional Housing
- Consisting of five homes in Saskatoon, transitional housing helps residents learn to live with others and keep a home running as well as rejoining the larger community and being an active member.
Community Outreach
- The Lighthouse provides services such as a nursing station, employment centre, education, drop in centre and meals open to the public who the require the support.
Funding
The core budget for Lighthouse Supported living comes through rent from the various suites and homes the charity offers. In addition Social Services gives a per diem rate for individuals staying in the shelters.
Donations and grants go into the programs and services offered. For example they may fund mobile outreach, art classes, case management and many others. While speaking with a member of Communications they said The Lighthouse is a very sustainable charity because of the funding they receive and a big capitol campaign in 2013-2014 gave them the boost they needed to renovate.
http://www.lighthousesaskatoon.org/about/financial-integrity/
Challenges
Being a housing provider to individuals who have little means(assistance etc), can often results in damages to the suites which requires constant repair and renovation. Due to the financial status of many of the renters there is a Letter of Guarantee provided in Lieu of a damage deposit which causes more expense for the charity.
Monitoring and evaluation Due to the fluidity of the programs and the amount of front line and emergency shelter and services provided. In many instances tracking success for the organization is seen when individuals move up the line in terms of going from using the emergency shelters to long term and eventually, hopefully, onto Transitional Housing and working within the community.
The Lighthouse believe that is important to utilize Maslows Hierarchy of Needs wherein first an individual needs those basic elements such as food and shelter to feel safe and then form relationships with others and continue to a feeling of self worth and becoming a functioning flourishing member of the community. They continued to explain that is a misconception that first you need to go find work and then you will be able to get a home and other basic needs and that the philosophy should be "Housing first"
In review
Having lived many years in Saskatoon I have always been aware of this charity and that it had to do with catering towards homeless individuals and unfortunately is often considered a blemish upon the downtown core and often would avoid walking past if at all possible.
I am extremely glad to have chosen this charity to focus on and also to have gone in and spoken with staff in person. Saskatoon has an epidemic of poverty and homelessness which majority of those living in the city don't even realize because we do not often see these individuals huddled up sleep.
I believe this charity is beneficial to the entire community in not only providing services and community for those who do not otherwise have it but also in doing so is raising awareness to the problem at hand.
In terms of functionality i do feel there is a need for more monitoring and evaluation of the work and programs and perhaps within the community itself. Doing so would not only encourage more support from Saskatoon residents but also a push for funding into programs which may require additional support. On the charity's webpage they list a "Good Neighbor Policy" wherein they are trying to keep their residents within their building and off the streets. This includes provision of their own deck area and not allowing smoking on second ave, as well they discourage pan handling though they remind that it is legal.
As a community I think it would go a long way for us as a community to be more understanding and patient while interacting with the residents and even in our day to day thinking. The Lighthouse is working hard to better the lives of those that society has otherwise left behind to their own devices and to this i say Kudos!
Thanks for tuning in for the first official Post and Happy Blogging!
Lighthouse Supported Living
http://www.lighthousesaskatoon.org
- 304 2nd Avenue South Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7K 1L1
- Tel: (306) 653-0538
- Fax: (306) 665-7770
- Email: hello@lighthousesaskatoon.org
*Information for this entry was obtained through website research, and in facility interview with staff.
