INUVIK - Now under new management, the Inuvik homeless shelter is looking for a new name and a new logo.

Julie Thrasher is one of the centre's co-ordinators. She said she wants people to know what the facility offers to people who need it.

Julie Thrasher, a co-ordinator of the Inuvik homeless shelter, wants people to know that the facility is not just for men. It is a full service shelter that can accommodate adults over the age of 18. Thrasher is also looking for creative talent to re-name the centre and design a logo. - Dez Loreen/NNSL photo

"We are not just a men's shelter," said Thrasher.

"We can serve any adult over the age of 18."

The shelter used to be called Turning Point. It was recently taken over by the Inuvik Native Band.

"We are no longer affiliated with Turning Point," said Thrasher.

"The first thing we want to do is change our name and get a new logo."

Thrasher said that prize money has been put aside for a naming contest, but no dates have been set yet.

Thrasher said the name "homeless shelter" doesn't help the people who live there.

"We want a new name that reflects our care for the tenants of the centre," said Thrasher.

"It can be embarrassing to say you live at the homeless shelter."

Thrasher said the shelter has been acting as a long-term residence for a few of their clientele.

"Some people stay here for a year before moving on," she said.

She said she would like to have the centre named after a local elder or have a traditional name of some sort.

"I think it would be great to represent tradition with a good name," said Thrasher.

She said the workers at the homeless shelter help the tenants find work and become productive members of the community.

"We have helped some people find jobs and help them save money," she said.

One of the purposes of helping the person save money is for public housing.

"If the person has a job and can get housing, we help as much as possible," said Thrasher.

"We have even helped them save for their damage deposit."

Making the transition between being homeless and renting a home can be a steep jump, said Thrasher.

"They start from nothing," she said. "They have no furniture, no dishes. They pretty well need a lot of everything. We also have a donation bin set up to assist their new start."

Thrasher said a container outside the shelter on Kingmingya Road is always open for donations of any kind.

"We will take anything, washers, dryers, furniture, clothing, silverware, just anything you don't need," she said.

"Every little bit can help someone ease into their new home."

The centre also holds fundraisers like bake sales and bannock lunches to raise money for the centre.

"We take the money and give it to the tenants, if they need any personal supplies or hygiene products," said Thrasher.

"We do what it takes to help these people as much as possible," said Thrasher.