The Mustard Seed steps up to manage new shelter beds in Saskatoon

The Mustard Seed, a Canadian Christian non-profit, has stepped up to provide and manage 30 new emergency shelter beds that have been promised for the city of Saskatoon.

According to the Mustard Seed’s website, the first shelter is scheduled to open early spring, followed by a second space in the fall.

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“We are excited to work with the community to meet the challenges of those less fortunate than ourselves and to strengthen the safety net that assures support for all in need,” read a statement from the website.

“In response to this need The Mustard Seed is opening two 30 bed shelters and we will be providing guests with wrap-around support, including access to ID services, counselling, health, and wellness services as well as spiritual supports.”

The Mustard Seed will also provide residents with three meals a day.

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Saskatoon Ward 3 Coun. David Kirton said Mustard Seed is responsible for shelters in Calgary and southern Alberta.

“I’m going to be curious as to how much cultural effort they are able to put into their work when they operate shelters and housing,” Kirton said.

He said the city is still going to need more shelters down the line but called this a great start.

“We still need more beds for people with complex needs and then the end goal is to get these people into housing — supportive housing, affordable housing. That is what is going to create success.”

Kirton said he is looking forward to seeing smaller shelters in Saskatoon, claiming one of the reasons shelters have caused an uproar amongst residents in other neighbourhoods is because they are too large.

“There is no doubt that shelters affect neighbourhoods,” Kirton said. “We’ve got to continue to care about that side of the equation as well. It’s been a real struggle for me in Ward 3 with Fairhaven and the people there have been affected greatly.”

For now, Kirton called the announcement a win and said he is looking forward to hearing where the shelters might be located.

The Ministry of Social Services said that work is underway for the locations and openings of the planned emergency shelters, as well as the complex needs emergency shelter planned for Idylwyld Drive.

“Opening dates will be set once the locations are confirmed,” read a statement from the ministry. “Additionally, work is underway on the complex needs emergency shelter with the goal to be established in early 2024.”