REGINA – The 2500 square-feet home has six bedrooms, and four bathroom, along with around the clock staffing and also in-house counseling services.
“It’s a perfect setting for them to really start to assimilate into the community. To feel valued. To be in a beautiful home, to be in a community neighbourhood where they can participate”, Regina Qu’Appelle MLA Laura Ross said.
The program is funded by the province of Saskatchewan through 4 Directions Child and Family Services.
“With this program, we’re providing them with not only still protection but also giving them those life skills”, Trudy Shingoose of 4 Directions Child and Family Services said.
The house comes at a cost of 900,000 dollars per year, plus a one-time capital cost of 200,000 dollars.
The province said it’s an investment.
“These are youths who have experienced issues, troubles, and so do you know the long run costs of not insuring that. We can make a difference and change their lives around”, Ross explained.
The youths range from ages 12 to 15 years-old, and will live with staff from 4 Directions.
The society also operates two other youth homes in the province; They say there’s no better way to integrate youths back into society.
“A lot of success in the area, it was a starting ground for them, to start moving forward.”
“I think when you’re looking at stabilization, when you’re working through that crisis the main thing you want to worry about is, what is the handling technique, what are the stressors”, Shingoose said.
Currently three girls and a boy live in the home, and will stay for approximately nine months.
Comments