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NIPAWIN — Nipawin Council has approved a donation of $15,000 to help Nipawin Oasis Community Centre deal with the increased costs of operating their warm-up shelter, as well as supports and services they offer.
Town of Nipawin approves $15,000 to address homelessness
“Our charity is committed to helping our community, but we need the town’s assistance to ensure that no one is left out in the cold.”
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The community centre had requested $20,000 at the Nov. 9 council meeting.
The Oasis provides cultural, educational, intervention and prevention programming and services, as well as employment opportunities, to Nipawin and the Northeast area.
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“Approximately 200 individuals use the centre weekly,” executive director Joy Hanson said in her letter to council. “Our charity is committed to helping our community, but we need the town’s assistance to ensure that no one is left out in the cold.”
According to the 2023-2024 Oasis Centre report, 193 people and 45 families are homeless or couch surfing in the Nipawin area.
Hanson said in the letter to council: “We have operated the warm-up shelter at the basement of the Oasis since Oct. 23, from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m., and in just 37 nights, we have served 64 unique individuals for a total of 412 people.”
Hanson said these services have made a measurable impact on those facing homelessness.
“Our council supports the work that the Oasis continues to do in our community for those people who are struggling with various life situations,” said Nipawin mayor Marlon Zacharias. “We know that helping some of the most vulnerable people within our community is a real concern, especially with the recent cold snap. We applaud the work that the Oasis has done to expand their services to offer a warm-up facility.”
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Said Hanson: “We acknowledge the need and importance of core funding, support from the Town of Nipawin, and property tax relief to sustain our operations and continue serving the community effectively.
“While our current surplus can cover short-term needs” she added, “long-term sustainability requires exploring alternative funding sources. We acknowledge the need and importance of core funding, support from the Town of Nipawin, and property tax relief to sustain our operations and continue serving the community effectively as we face future challenges, including the growing need in our community.”
The Nipawin Oasis owns seven supportive housing homes for chronically homeless families.
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