North Battleford Transitional Living has received a $2,000 donation from the proceeds of this year's Champions of Mental Health Awards Banquet, organized by the North Battleford branch of the Registered Psychiatric Nurses of Saskatchewan.
Committee member Cathy Watson presented the cheque recently, saying the relatively new housing unit is providing an important, previously unavailable service to the community. Its impact has been "unsung" to date, she indicated.
The donation is going toward the operation of a two-storey development that includes eight small but independent apartments for people needing transitional housing as they work toward a more independent life. The idea is for the tenants to rent the units for a short period of time, from six to 18 months in most cases, and then be in a position to move on to permanent housing, says Rev. Sheldon Gattinger, chair of the North Battleford Transitional Living Initiative committee and minister for Zion Lutheran Church, which spearheaded the project.
In addition to housing at a reasonable rent of between $340 and $535 per month, the residents also receive support from the initiative, helping them fulfill their goals toward independence, such as getting an education or entering the workforce.
Julie Huestis is the program's co-ordinator, working out of an office at Zion Lutheran Church. Serving as something of a "house mother," Heustis helps Transition House residents accomplish the tasks and make the connections they need to meet their goals.
"I don't do it for them," she points out. "I help them."
Each 300-square-foot furnished unit of Transition House is fully independent, with a bedroom, a washroom and living room and kitchen area with basic cooking and eating utensils. The building itself is drug and alcohol free in order to help clients escape environments where drugs and alcohol abuse has been a problem.
While the aim is to house those at risk and those seeking to turn their lives around, including those with addictions issues, physical disabilities or mental health challenges, it has also proved a boon in helping local students complete high school.
About half of the individuals currently residing in Transition House at 1322 - 103rd St. are school-age youth who had been "couch surfers," says Gattinger. Not having a stable place of residence makes it hard to do well in school, or even attend school, he points out.
Section 10 of the provincial Child and Family Services Act allows for 16 and 17 year olds who don't have an older person to assume parental responsibility to receive assistance, making it possible for them to apply to Transition House for a place to live while going to school, says Gattinger.
Heustis noted the school counsellors at North Battleford Comprehensive High School have provided excellent, above and beyond support and encouragement for their students at Transition House.
The qualifying process to select the tenants looks for individuals who best exhibit the traits to lead productive transitional lives. Gattinger says that means identifying the clients who will be the best fit for the building – people who are most committed to turning their lives around, including those who have exited detox facilities or who have registered for school in the city or entered the workforce.
The basic criteria for tenants is that they be single, committed to alcohol and drug free living, able to form and commit themselves to following a "transition plan" towards healthy independent living, have an annual income of less than $35,000 and be homeless or at risk of becoming homeless.
Not every tenant works out, says Gattinger. There have been times when they've had to "shake hands" with a tenant who wasn't the right fit. They have to be truly committed.
Watson, whose career as a psychiatric nurse has included working with people who could have benefited from a place like Transition House, praises the initiative and looks forward to the time when a second one can be built.
For a community that has been beset with crime and addiction issues, says Watson, this kind of program is exactly what is needed.
She also hopes the donation from the Champions of Mental Health banquet will encourage other groups and individuals to contribute funding to the project.
Huestis notes they would also welcome donations of items such as single fitted sheets. Anyone interested in donating items should contact Huestis at 306-445-5162.
Transition House was made possible by investment from both the federal and provincial governments, the Battlefords Agency Tribal Chiefs Community Development Corporation and the City of North Battleford. The City supplied the land, which includes room for another building next door.
Source: The Battlefords News Optimist; Published title: Transition House gets financial boost
at: http://www.newsoptimist.ca/news/local-news/transition-house-gets-financial-boost-1.2047927#sthash.pyGPe1gd.dpuf
