YORKTON – The Society for the Involvement of Good Neighbours (SIGN) is tackling a range of pressing issues in Yorkton and its surrounding communities, according to Executive Director Andrew Sedley.
The organization is seeing a rise in challenges such as affordable housing shortages, food insecurity, and increasing mental health and addiction struggles.
“We see a number of different issues here within Yorkton and surrounding communities. Everything from a lack of affordable housing for people that may be low income to food insecurity,” said Sedley in an interview with SaskToday.ca, who noted the organization is "seeing an increase with individuals that are having struggles with mental health and addictions.”
Sedley said SIGN is committed to providing as much support as possible to those in need and highlighted a growing trend of food insecurity, affordable housing shortages, and mental health and addiction issues.
In collaboration with Suncrest College’s applied research department, SIGN recently completed a project to assess food insecurity in the community. The goal was to develop a comprehensive report detailing available free food resources in Yorkton. This report aims to inform service providers and the community about where individuals experiencing food insecurity can access support.
“From the research that was done we currently have 12 different agencies in Yorkton that are providing free food at different times of the week for individuals that are food insecure,” Sedley noted. The most recent addition to these resources is a community fridge, which has seen significant use and support from the community.
Sedley emphasized the community’s willingness to support those in need, reflecting a collective effort to address these growing challenges.
“What we’re seeing is an increase in individuals that are reaching out for supports and for services. There’s definitely a need to continue with investing in mental health and addictions within our communities,” said Sedley.
Sedley believes that community solutions require collective effort.
“I think any type of community solution needs the community to come together," said Sedley.
Whether it’s various levels of government, non-profits or organizations that focus on the needs of certain individuals, "it’s bringing them all together to come up with a solution for some of the issues that we’re seeing," said Sedley.
“A lot of times what happens is we have agencies going out and doing their own things in the province trying to solve whatever issue that may be. In Yorkton we’re actually very lucky. We have a strong group of committed government and non-government agencies that come together at the table to look at what we can do collaboratively in the community," said Sedley of Yorkton.
Sedley highlighted the unique opportunity Yorkton has to make lasting impacts.
“That’s something I’ve heard many times across the province — the leaders of non-profit organizations saying ‘that’s not something that happens in the larger ones’. In Yorkton, we have a great opportunity to make some lasting impacts for individuals that are struggling here in the community.”
Sedley stressed the importance of involving all stakeholders in finding solutions.
"I do believe it’s bringing everyone together from helping agencies and government to also service users — to come up with solutions and things that are going to work for individuals. We don’t want to just involve agencies without involving those that are living with some of the struggles and that sort of thing to come up with the solutions.”
For more information on SIGN's initiatives and how to access support, visit SIGN's website or contact their office directly.
