The Saskatoon ALSO group began their week at the Mennonite Central Committee Saskatchewan offices on Avenue C in Saskatoon. There they were led by Miriam Ullah and Kaytee Edwards in an activity highlighting our differences and similarities, and creatively retelling the parable of the Good Samaritan as it would happen today. The morning ended with a very powerful presentation by RJC Alumnus Deann Mercier about her work at The Lighthouse and issues of homelessness in Saskatoon. The question and answer time with Deann was particularly interesting as the students had some great insights and comments to make.
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| The RJC students re-wrote the Good Samaritan story to how it would have been told today. A lot of thought was put in by each group. |
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| The new Good Samaritan story was then role played, complete with thought bubbles. |
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| Myrian Ullah and Kaytee Edwards led the morning at the MCC office in Saskatoon. |
The presentations and activites in the morning spawned a lot of discussion among the students during break and lunch. The MCC offices in Saskatoon are a great place for meetings and discussions like this. The facilities really lend themselves to learning.
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| Terry and Lyndsey in discussion about the presentations on homelessness in Saskatoon |
The afternoon was spent in downtown Saskatoon at two agencies -
Saskatoon Open Door Society for new arrivals to Canada and
The Lighthouse. (hurrah for warm spring-like weather! I think we were warmer than the Alabama group today! YIPPEE!) The students were divided into two groups and dropped off at one or the other site. After an informative meeting and a tour at each place, they had to walk to the next place and make observations about things they saw in Saskatoon, such as places advertising "help wanted" or "apartments available for rent."
One of the groups had a bit of an adventure by turning east instead of west and became completely turned around when the afternoon was done and they had to find their way back to the bus. Rescue via cellphone directions made everything OK.
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| Here the students are listening to a presentation about new arrivals to Canada at the Saskatoon Open Door Society. |
The students watch an awesome video put together by media students at Evan Hardy Collegiate (a local Saskatoon public highschool) about The Lighthouse. It's worth the 6 minute to watch.
With homelessness involving many complex issues such as poverty, mental illness, addictions, unemployment (or under-employment,) and crime, often the question is asked what is the first step? A more and more common theme among governments and agencies is "housing first!" Get people in to a safe place to call home first and THEN they will have the ability to begin to tackle other issues they face.
The above video featured a resident of The Lighthouse - "Bear" whom the students recognized as soon as they entered the apartment block. Bear was gracious enough to share freely with the students some of his story - completely unplanned and impromptu. Connections made and respect traded.
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| "Bear" with the students at The Lighthouse. |
The Lighthouse is undergoing a major renovation expanding their capacity for residents. They are making a major announcement on Friday regarding the status of their campaign. It will be exciting! Watch the news outlets in Saskatoon!
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| Deann Mercier took the students around The Lighthouse showing their facilities and some of the renovations that are underway to expand their capacity. This was the former hotel's swimming pool - which was never actually used as a pool and will be converted to living and exercise areas. |
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| Deann Mercier with some of the RJC students. |
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| A newly renovated appartment at The Lighthouse. Look out the window and you see the Galaxy theatre right across the road. It is a strange mix of clientele. |
The day ended with the students journalling about their experiences and thoughts. Each day this week we will stop at the MCC Offices to journal and debrief.
Tomorrow the students will begin their work at either Habitat for Humanity or a downtown Saskatoon community school.
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| Cody and Toby are putting their thoughts and impressions down on paper in their ALSO journals. |
