Hope's Haven officially open
'Youth have a place to stay 24-7,' says executive director
Evan Kiyoshi French
Northern News Services
Saturday, September 26, 2015
SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
Hope's Haven, the new transitional home and emergency shelter procured by Sidedoor Youth Ministries, officially opened its doors on Thursday.
Iris Hamlyn, executive director of the Sidedoor Youth Ministries, speaks to a crowd gathered for the official opening of Hopes Haven, the new transitional and emergency shelter for youth last Thursday
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Iris Hamlyn, executive director for the operator, said the home has 12 beds to accommodate transitional guests and two emergency beds, augmenting the group's total bed count to 12 transitional beds and 10 emergency beds. Hamlyn said she wrote the business plan for the acquisition last fall and they moved in nine months later.
"We've operated an emergency shelter for 10 years," she said. "We knew there were gaps and we need to do something to fill those gaps."
She said the purchase cost $1.2 million, plus renovation costs. Hamlyn said the group is funded through a five-year agreement with the city, which put $594,000 in the organization's pockets to run the shelter for that period of time.
"The rest we're (covering by) mortgaging the building," she said.
The biggest change is the shelter will be open to youth 24 hours a day, said Hamlyn. At the old shelter, guests had to leave every morning, she said.
"At Hope's Haven you won't have to leave," she said. "Instead of roaming the streets and having nothing productive to do, they can stay here, there's three meals a day, they have access to computers, to employment and literacy (training)."
She said their guests get connected with case workers who help them to get their affairs in order.
"They connect with a case worker who helps them navigate whether it's getting ID or getting a job, or booking appointments," said Hamlyn.
She said rules have changes to allow young people between the ages of 16 and 24 to stay with them, whereas previously the cutoff was 18. She said the group recognizes that some young people aren't ready to get out on their own - they're not emotionally or physically ready - and so they could use some extra help into their early 20s.
She said the group is running a new program this year helping youth get their feet in the door with employers.
