YORKTON — Yorkton Council was given an update on Bruno’s Place at its regular meeting Monday.
Bruno’s Place is non-profit emergency homeless shelter in Yorkton, reminded facility head Angela Chernoff, adding the temporary shelter came out of the need indemnified in a SIGN-drive housing needs report dating back to 2021.
Bruno’s Place – named after Bruno Matt in memory of his significant and positive impact on the city of Yorkton -- opened in October 2022 with six beds.
Today the facility operates with 20 shelter beds available for adults (18+) who are homeless and without resources for staying in a hotel or with family/friends.
Six of the 20 beds are designated as “non-medical detox”. The purpose of those six beds is to provide a break from substance use overnight. Staff offer observation for mild detox to clients in those beds.
Bruno’s Place is open 24/7.
While at Bruno’s Place, clients are offered three meals a day and provided with opportunities to connect with community agencies to work towards their goals. Main goals for our clients usually involve finding stable housing, and accessing mental health and addiction services.
Chernoff said the process of getting the facility fully operational has been challenging, especially in ensuring both staff and client safety. She added the shelter is primarily a safe haven for those needing temporary shelter, and it is paramount that safety is maintained.
Chernoff said in spite of challenges after only three years of operation she said “I think we’ve come a very long way.”
But when the facility is successful in helping a client it makes the effort worthwhile, said Chernoff as she choked back emotion reading a client thank you.
It read:
I want to thank you and everyone there for everything you have done for me. I wanted to let you know how important your job was for me.
Something you probably don't know, about 2 weeks before I showed up at your shelter when I figured out that I was abandoned. Every thought in my head was just wanting to take a bottle of pills. I had like 100 gabapentin beside me at all times. I even had a letter written which I just happened to find when cleaning out my suitcases. Then I arrived at your shelter and within 2 days I had thrown out those pills. You people made me feel more wanted than I had felt in years.
Without you people there is no doubt in my mind that I wouldn't be here anymore.
You people are phenomenal and I wish everyone that comes in contact with you feels the same way.
You all helped me get my life going in the right direction and I can't thank you enough.
I hope I get to meet all of you again under different circumstances so I can really show my appreciation for all you have done.
Thank you for everything.
