The manager of Moose Jaw’s only emergency overnight shelter said watching vulnerable clients struggling to survive the winter, and particularly the recent extreme cold conditions, has been difficult — she praised her shelter staff for taking care of each other and the community.
“This is our first push through the winter, and to tell you the truth, it’s bleak,” said Crystal Peterson with the John Howard Society, which operates Willow Lodge. “It’s been quite heartbreaking, you know, at the end of the day we pack up, we’re only open until 8 a.m. We’ve been able to provide that space to sleep, to warm up, and some good meals, but at the end of the day ... it’s tough sending 15 to 18 guests out onto the streets.
“The staff, as well, I can tell they’re feeling it, that their stress levels are higher. I think they’re really good at getting together and supporting each other. They’re a good team, but it’s been really hard watching people struggle in this kind of cold.”
Willow Lodge opened at 83 Ominica Street West in January 2024, supported by Square One and may other community organization and with a promise of provincial funding until the end of March 2024 as part of the Government of Saskatchewan’s Provincial Approach to Homelessness.
Peterson noted that funding was extended after a successful first couple of months. The province has guaranteed at least another year of operation after this one, and she doesn’t anticipate that will change.
“We’re on a year-by-year basis, which is the way the funding goes, I’ve been told. I think we’re doing a good job, and we’re really proud of the work we do, and we feel supported by the government. I can’t see the funding going anywhere anytime soon.”
The shelter operates 15 beds on first-come, first-served basis from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m. every night. They can also provide up to three overflow spaces based on demand.
In December 2024, Willow Lodge was operating at about 75 per cent of their regular capacity each night.
During the recent extreme cold, however, they’ve been at 100 per cent — including the overflow beds. They don’t have a set demographic, either. They accept everyone from the addicted and psychiatrically unwell, to seniors and the disabled, and those fleeing violence.
“We’re low-barrier,” Peterson explained. “Our motto is being consistent, calm, and kind, and I think at the end of the day that’s what has gotten us through. We’re going to meet our guests, not at the best point in their lives, or even of that day, but they know they’re going to get that consistent, calm support from the staff at Willow Lodge.
“We have had some guests that are really hard to house, just because of where they are at with their mental illness or other issues, but for the most part we see the same kind of people. We are first-come, first-served, we don’t hold beds, so that tends to make things a bit different each night.”
Peterson said the weather has been discouraging and exhausting, to say the least, which can make it challenging for everyone to get along. Nevertheless, clients are consistently grateful for the compassion of the staff.
“They understand, and at the end of the day, we’re not judging them and they appreciate that, and they appreciate that space. But the cold has been really tricky, because we’ve had to reach out to ambulance, to paramedics, so support some of our guests who have asthma or COPD. We’ve seen lots of chest infections, lots of issues just breathing.”
Peterson said the shelter has been receiving generous donations from the community of Moose Jaw all winter, which has helped immensely.
There is a 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. time every Monday at Willow Lodge for donations to be dropped off. To arrange donations outside of that time, you can contact Crystal Peterson at cpeterson@sk.johnhoward.ca, or by phone at 306-233-7445.
The most important items are:
- Clean socks and underwear
- Men’s sweatpants and pajamas
- Deodorant
- Combs and hairbrushes
- Recreation — word searches, crossword puzzles, sudoku, and other games
“Where my heart is, right now, is just a big call-out to the staff,” Peterson added. “It’s not an easy job, to be seeing everybody and their struggles, and to continue being that consistent, calm, kind support for our most vulnerable community members.
“I’m really, really proud of them.”
