The Saskatoon Lighthouse is opening its doors to anyone who needs their services during the Thanksgiving weekend, even if they don’t qualify for provincial funding, according to the group’s executive director.
“We couldn’t close the doors; we just had to open them,” said Don Windels, the Lighthouse Supported Living executive director.
“I would have felt like a hypocrite, to be honest, to have people outside and we’re enjoying the good meal here.”
READ MORE: Lighthouse cut draws criticism from Saskatoon mayoral candidates, homeless
Windels said there has been an uptick in clients in recent days due to rain and snowfall. He said on Thursday the Lighthouse allowed 15 people to access the facility, people who would have otherwise been turned away because they do not qualify for provincial funding.
He said the group will re-visit the decision on Tueday, but added that it likely couldn’t afford to keep the policy active.
“It’s going to be a hard decision on Tuesday,” Windels said.
“I am hoping that the weather is nice so that it’s going to be a lot easier to make.”
The move to open the doors to all clients comes days after the provincial government decided to not fund the Lighthouse’s stabilization unit. The facility is a dorm for men and women that need shelter and are under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
READ MORE: Saskatchewan government cuts funding to Lighthouse stabilization unit
On Wednesday, a government spokesperson said in a statement that officials “concluded that the Lighthouse does not serve enough eligible clients to cover the cost of operating the stabilization unit in Saskatoon.”
Windels plans to meet with Saskatchewan Party MLAs on Friday to discuss the decision.
“If they don’t think this should be funded, then what is the alternative? What’s the solution,” Windels said.
“We’re definitely solution oriented, there’s got to be a solution somehow, someway … let’s come up with one.”
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