By Angela Brown

Lighthouse asking for community’s support during holidays

Dec 18, 2017 | 4:00 PM

The Lighthouse Serving the Battlefords is encouraging residents to support the homeless during the holiday season.

Executive director Don Windels said the Lighthouse, located in North Battleford, has sent a mail-out to residents for its current fundraising campaign.

“We are a little bit short on the fundraising side,” he said. “We are still hoping that – between now and the end of the year – people will choose us as a good place to invest their donation dollars.”  

The Lighthouse also needs people to donate winter items such as adult-sized mittens, toques as well as winter coats and boots that are new or gently used.   

It could also benefit from ground coffee, sugar and cream donations to serve clients.

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The Lighthouse offers emergency shelter, as well as supported living, and affordable housing to those in need in the Battlefords.

During the cold nights, Windels said a van will pick up people on the streets needing assistance. 

The Lighthouse shelter has about 30 beds for people staying overnight. It also has some added space in the basement, so it usually can accommodate anyone in need of a place to stay.

“There is always overflow,” Windels said. “We try to make sure no one goes without a place to stay.”

Windels said the Lighthouse requires funding to help cover its operating costs.

Shortfall

“This year we will have a shortfall,” he said. “We are hoping this Christmas will shore-up some of that, and that the contracts and everything will continue for next year… so we can serve everyone there, and do a good job of it.” 

The Lighthouse mainly receives funding from a number of sources –  from the federal government through the Homelessness Partnering Strategy (HPS), Provincial Métis Housing Corporation (PMHC), the YMCA in Regina, the BATC Community Development Corporation, and the City of North Battleford.

Windels said the Lighthouse often receives funding for clients through Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC) since many of its clients live on First Nation reserves, which are under federal jurisdiction. About 90 per cent of the Lighthouse clients are Indigenous.

He said sometimes it is not clear, whether the federal government or provincial government would be responsible for funding a client, depending on the situation, so there can be gaps in finding funding. 

“There are people who fall through the cracks,” Windels added. “That’s why we are having a little bit of difficulty getting funding.”

angela.brown@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @battlefordsnow