(File Photo/paNOW Staff)

By Jaryn Vecchio

Stepping Stones

Staffing issues delay opening of P.A.’s homeless shelter, hours will increase with more workers

Oct 24, 2023 | 12:00 PM

Despite Prince Albert experiencing below-average temperatures, the city’s homeless shelter still won’t be open for about a week.

That’s because the YWCA Prince Albert, which operates Stepping Stones, had a tough time hiring staff.

They started accepting resumes in August with hopes of having the shelter open by Oct. 15, however, it turns out it wasn’t enough time to fill every position.

Donna Brooks, the CEO of YWCA Prince Albert, told paNOW they found enough people to open the shelter for 12 hours a day, however, they must be trained first.

“You can’t just throw them in there, especially with the homeless population. They have to be well trained in order to do that job,” she said.

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She added they will be ready for Nov. 1.

When Stepping Stones officially opens, it will open from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m. The plan is to remain open for 24 hours, a first for the shelter, once the YWCA can fill 20 positions. They need 10 trained staff in order to operate for 12 hours a day.

“Before, they would have to leave for the day and try and get their bed again at night. Because it’s 24-hour we’re able to offer more services, there’ll be meals, there’ll be a place for them to hang out during the day, there’ll be links to other resources,” Brooks said.

There’s currently no planned date for when the shelter will go to 24 hours, though Brooks is optimistic it will happen sooner rather than later.

Along with being open for 24 hours, Stepping Stones will also have 45 beds, up from 25, thanks to $830,000 in funding from the Government of Saskatchewan.

“Along with community partners, we are working to improve outcomes for people experiencing homelessness and better support individuals who need more than a home to remain connected to housing,” said Gene Makowsky, Saskatchewan’s Minister of Social Services, in a release.

Meanwhile, YWCA administrators hope once the city finally has a permanent shelter that all the issues they face getting Stepping Stones operational every year will be a thing of the past.

Brooks noted every year they seem to face one big obstacle whether it’s staffing, funding, or finding a location.

The permanent location would stop this from happening, especially staffing concerns as they would no longer have to lay off staff during the spring.

“When the time comes around to hire staff back, most of them have found other jobs. We’re doing the hiring all over again. So, if we can get 24-hour year-round (service) we won’t have to deal with those things year after year.”

At this time, the city and YWCA are trying to pinpoint a spot where the shelter can be constructed.

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Jaryn.Vecchio@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @princealbertnow