(Jaryn Vecchio/paNOW Staff)

By Jaryn Vecchio

Helping Homeless

New temporary warm space opens up for P.A.’s homeless

Dec 10, 2021 | 5:00 PM

A warming centre is now open in Prince Albert for those living on the streets.

On Friday, the Prince Albert Grand Council (PAGC) officially turned the Union Centre downtown into a space where the community’s homeless can warm up and get multiple meals.

In the past, the PAGC has partnered with different organizations to open these types of spaces, however, they decided to push forward by themselves, so these individuals didn’t have to wait any longer to find a warm place to temporarily stay.

They also decided to name the centre “Moose Lodge” after James Sewap, a long-time resident of P.A.’s streets who passed away during the summer.

His daughter, Yvette McDermott, was on hand for the centre’s opening.

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“He’s here in a spiritual way and I truly believe he’s here and so happy and so thankful for this because he helped a lot of people too.”

James Sewap’s family honoured at centre’s opening. (Jaryn Vecchio/paNOW Staff)

McDermott said it took her a long time to truly understand what her father was going through and why he ended up on the streets. Sewap was a residential school survivor who used alcohol and drugs to try and cope with his mental struggles.

Despite struggling himself, McDermott noted her father always lent a helping hand to those living on the streets with him, adopting everyone as part of his family. To her, the warming centre truly represents everything her father was.

“He protected people out there, he helped people out there, he’s well respected.”

As soon as the doors opened, around 30 individuals rushed in to get out of the cold. They were welcomed by several individuals on-hand to serve them a warm meal and something to drink.

Also in attendance was P.A.’s Mayor, Greg Dionne. In his words, the centre is another piece of the puzzle in helping the city’s homeless.

“They’ll get breakfast and lunch here and they’ll shut down later in the day and move them to the shelters.”

The space will be open Monday to Friday from 10:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

The PAGC isn’t expecting many to try coming in later in the day as they’ll instead be looking to get a spot to sleep for the night at the Stepping Stones Shelter.

Those who don’t get in will receive help finding a place to sleep from the P.A. mobile crisis unit.

—

Jaryn.Vecchio@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @princealbertnow