In an open letter that was circulated on Sept. 13, Health Minister Julie Green is asking for Yellowknife residentsSA国际影视传媒� support during a trying time.
Due to the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak in Yellowknife, which has significantly affected the underhoused community with Sobering Centre and day shelter closures, the GNWT and Green are hoping to convert the former downtown Legion building at 4709 Franklin Ave. into a temporary emergency shelter.
The shelter would give the street-involved community a much needed warm place to go during the fast-approaching winter season. Green states that this emergency shelter SA国际影视传媒渕ust happen by the end of October.SA国际影视传媒�
With regards to resident support, the minister, in response to Yellowknifer, asks specifically for those in the immediate area of the shelter to be consulted to engage in a collaborative process SA国际影视传媒渋n hopes of working to address any concerns.SA国际影视传媒�
SA国际影视传媒淎s opposed to submitting a development appeal which would stop this dead in its tracks until well after the cold weather sets in,SA国际影视传媒� she said. SA国际影视传媒淲e are willing to work with residents to address their concerns. We will set up dedicated points of contact to highlight and solve issues quickly once operating. We will create a good neighbour committee to ensure that the department is responsive to residentsSA国际影视传媒� and businessesSA国际影视传媒� concerns, and offer continuous review and improvement when needed.SA国际影视传媒�
Green asks local citizens to make their voices heard regarding the temporary shelter, acknowledging the 500 members of the SA国际影视传媒楥oncerned Yellowknife Residents for a Day Shelter DowntownSA国际影视传媒� Facebook group.
SA国际影视传媒淓verybody counts, and we want to show the community who we can count on to support these types of projects,SA国际影视传媒� said Green. SA国际影视传媒淲e believe Yellowknife is a caring and compassionate community that wants to ensure that the citySA国际影视传媒檚 vulnerable residents are supported and have access to the services they need. Until a more permanent facility is in place, we need the help of Yellowknife residents to establish a temporary solution. We are asking you to be generous with your support for the few options that are available right now.SA国际影视传媒�
The Legion building was one of three potential sites, but in the ministerSA国际影视传媒檚 letter it was deemed SA国际影视传媒渢he only one that will work,SA国际影视传媒� as SA国际影视传媒渢here are no other options left to explore.SA国际影视传媒�
One of the listed reasons for this location is that itSA国际影视传媒檚 within walking distance of the downtown core and each emergency site.
Day shelter staff and medical services are also closely available to the Legion building, which will help those who acquire COVID-19 symptoms to get tested and self-isolate when necessary.
Also according to the letter, the building is SA国际影视传媒渓arge enough to accommodate around 60 people and requires minimal renovations.SA国际影视传媒�
On top of providing a location for the homeless population of Yellowknife, Green also notes that this development, with the support of citizens, can create a kind and meaningful act of reconciliation.
