Square One Community Inc., was born in 2021 from the COVID Community Response Committee. Housing instability was identified in a city-wide survey of agencies as being a priority, and with that in mind, local agencies were invited to meet. Anecdotal evidence showed the need for housing, coupled with wrap-around services to support the individual's new beginnings as they started over at "square one" in their journey.

Our Mission:

To help adults who are housing in-secure by building, coordinating, and strengthening the continuum of supports.

Here are some highlights of our journey so far:

Established as a Non Profit in January 2021 and and Charitable status 2023

Underwent Systems Mapping;  and the second rural Point in Time Count in Canada.  Hosted second Point in Time Count Oct. 2024 and found a minimum of 74 individuals were unhoused that night.

Advocated with Government of Sask. for an Emergency Shelter which opened Jan. 2023 with 15 beds under the umbrella of John Howard Society (named Willow Lodge).

Called community together to create a Cold Weather Strategy with an added branch for Meal Offerings for those who are food insecure.  Square One is the central communication of that info for Moose Jaw. With the closure of Riverside Mission, Square One called a community meeting and from that meeting a new independent organization, "Hope Ministries" was created by interested citizens and now fills the gap for meal offerings in our community, alongside multiple other agencies.

June 2024 Square One Community hired our Special Projects Coordinator (now GM) Maxton Eckstein.  Max is developing the Social Housing Advisory Committee.  Square One Community signed a partnership agreement with Moose Jaw Non-Profit Housing Corp. and now offers Supportive Housing services to residents at William Milne Place where our office is housed.

In the fall of 2024,Square One Community worked with partner, Rogers/Shaw to produce a video with the goal of dispelling myths around homelessness.  On Nov. 16, 2024 the production: "A Home to Call My Own" was released and received with high acclaim.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YjkH3TphZEU

The journey continues with the goal of using funds raised to add staff so we can expand our capacity for Supportive Housing services.