Provincial Funding Enables Regina Friendship Centre to Launch New Warming Shelter
Amidst a severe cold snap gripping Saskatchewan, Regina has welcomed a third warming shelter thanks to significant provincial funding support. The Nēwo-Yōtina Friendship Centre has received an operating grant through the Government of Saskatchewan's Provincial Approach to Homelessness (PATH) program to establish and operate the new Seven Fires Warming Shelter at 1615 11th Avenue.
Addressing Critical Service Gaps
The City of Regina, responsible for distributing $1.1 million in provincial funding designated for warming spaces, announced the partnership in a media release on Thursday. Kerri Martin, the city's coordinator of community mobilization, explained the selection process: "We looked to community partners that we knew had experience in supporting vulnerable people and the Friendship Centre was certainly a partner that made good sense to provide this service."
Nēwo-Yōtina Friendship Centre executive director Teresa Innis emphasized the timing couldn't be more crucial as Regina experiences temperatures plunging below -30°C this week. "This is a much-needed service," Innis stated. "We've heard from our clients they have nowhere to go when things close at 4:30 p.m. We really wanted to be open and able to offer services, and this funding has allowed us to do that."
Expanded Hours and Services
The Seven Fires Warming Shelter, which officially opened its doors on December 15, operates during the overnight period from 4:30 p.m. to 8 a.m. daily. This schedule directly addresses the critical gap in services that previously left vulnerable individuals without safe spaces during evening and early morning hours.
The friendship centre has been experiencing significant demand, with Innis estimating approximately 100 visitors daily during recent extreme weather conditions. Following the warming shelter's morning closure from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m., the facility reopens for its regular daytime operations, which include a harm reduction site available from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Broader Warming Space Expansion
The provincial initiative to expand warming centre availability was initially announced in November, with multiple organizations receiving support to extend their operating hours. In addition to Nēwo-Yōtina Friendship Centre, two other Regina organizations have benefited from this funding:
- Carmichael Outreach (1510 12th Avenue) now operates from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, with additional after-hours services from 7 p.m. to 8 a.m. seven nights weekly
- All Nations Hope received funding to expand hours at Awasiw: The Place of Hope (2735 5th Avenue), which is now open seven days weekly from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and 9 p.m. to 7 a.m.
This coordinated approach represents a significant enhancement to Regina's support network for vulnerable populations during winter months, providing multiple access points and extended hours across different locations throughout the city.
