Regina's All Nations Hope Network to expand frontline services with new building
All Nations Hope Network (ANHN) will soon be able to expand the services offered through its Awasiw program.
Saskatchewan Housing Corporation (SHC) transferred ownership of its building at 2735 5th Ave. to the organization on Wednesday.
The Awasiw program, operated by ANHN, is a drop-in centre for those at-risk or experiencing homelessness. The program offers support and services to vulnerable Indigenous people.
The director of the ANHN said the program services about 400 people per night, but with the current set up of the building and pandemic guidelines, it can only serve a few people at a time.
The organization plans to renovate the main floor to allow more space.
“So they can come in and maybe have a seat, or a coffee or a meal and access any services or referrals they may be getting,” Lana Holinaty, director of operations for the ANHN, said.
Holinaty added the timing of the ownership transfer was good because she is expecting to see an increase of people using the program as the temperatures drop.
“There’s so many homeless people out there right now and we are hoping to address at least being able to keep some of them warm,” she said.
Lori Carr, Minister of Social Services, said this transfer allows ANHN the freedom to renovate and make changes to the building in order to run its programs better.
“Indigenous led organizations for Indigenous people is an important piece for those individuals that need those services so that they feel welcomed and invited into buildings like this so that they can be supported in the way that they need to be supported,” Carr said.
The Awasiw program currently runs from 9 p.m. to 7 a.m.
All Nations Hope plans to apply for some funding to extend the hours to run 24-7.
ANHN has been providing frontline services to Indigenous people for more than 20 years. The organization offers regular testing services and access to Elders, traditions medicine, food and naloxone.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Indian envoy warns of 'big red line,' days after charges laid in Nijjar case
India's envoy to Canada insists relations between the two countries are positive overall, despite what he describes as 'a lot of noise.'
Stormy Daniels describes meeting Trump during occasionally graphic testimony in hush money trial
With Donald Trump sitting just feet away, Stormy Daniels testified Tuesday at the former president's hush money trial about a sexual encounter the porn actor says they had in 2006 that resulted in her being paid to keep silent during the presidential race 10 years later.
U.S. paused bomb shipment to Israel to signal concerns over Rafah invasion, official says
The U.S. paused a shipment of bombs to Israel last week over concerns that Israel was approaching a decision on launching a full-scale assault on the southern Gaza city of Rafah against the wishes of the U.S.
Former homicide detective explains how police will investigate shooting outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion
Footage from dozens of security cameras in the area of Drake’s Bridle Path mansion could be the key to identifying the suspect responsible for shooting and seriously injuring a security guard outside the rapper’s sprawling home early Tuesday morning, a former Toronto homicide detective says.
Northern Ont. woman makes 'eggstraordinary' find
A chicken farmer near Mattawa made an 'eggstraordinary' find Friday morning when she discovered one of her hens laid an egg close to three times the size of an average large chicken egg.
Susan Buckner, who played spirited cheerleader Patty Simcox in 'Grease,' dead at 72
Susan Buckner, best known for playing peppy Rydell High School cheerleader Patty Simcox in the 1978 classic movie musical 'Grease,' has died. She was 72.
Jeremy Skibicki has 'uphill battle' to prove he's not criminally responsible in Winnipeg killings: legal analysts
Accused killer Jeremy Skibicki could have a challenging time convincing a judge that he is not criminally responsible for the deaths of four Indigenous women, a legal analyst says.
Bye-bye bag fee: Calgary repeals single-use bylaw
A Calgary bylaw requiring businesses to charge a minimum bag fee and only provide single-use items when requested has officially been tossed.
Alcohol believed to be a factor in boating incident after 2 men die: N.S. RCMP
Two Nova Scotia men are dead after a boat they were travelling in sank in the Annapolis River in Granville Centre, N.S., on Monday.