The Ground Zero Transition Home has opened in Saskatoon, and will act as a new youth emergency shelter.

In a collaboration between the provincial government and EGADZ Saskatoon, the Ground Zero Youth Transition home will provide an immediate safe place to reside while youth work to secure long term housing or placement.

The province has committed $1.1 million in annual funding Social Services Minister Lori Carr says the Ground Zero Youth Committee pitched the idea, created proposals and were heavy involved with the project. Carr says who better to lead the project then those with lived experience, and who have navigated the same issues and systems. Carr adds the for ‘youth by youth’ emergency shelter is the first of its kind in Saskatchewan and she’s thoroughly impressed with the work of the teenagers involved.

Ground Zero offers 10 bedrooms to help youth aged 15 to 19 transition to independence by providing supports and services.

EGADZ Executive Director Don Meikle says they’ve also created a community recovery team, which will work together to better address youth needs in the home. This will include mental health nurses, addictions workers, a social worker and youth advisor all in the home 7 days a week.

Youth will have access to nutrition programming, laundry facilities and 24/7 on-site support.

Meikle also announced that because of the Ground Zero program EGADZ has purchased a four-plex which will house mother’s and children.