MOOSE JAW — Square One Community Inc. held its annual general meeting at William Milne Place on April 16, highlighting a year of progress in supportive housing and community engagement.
Leadership transitions and board appointments
The meeting commenced with the appointment of Della Ferguson as president for a one-year term. Ferguson was previously appointed as secretary.
Bernie Doepker was named vice-president for a two-year term, replacing Anne-Marie Ursan, while Paul Wilder continues as treasurer in 2025.
The secretary position remains open. New board members Dave Stevenson and James Zick were welcomed for two-year terms, alongside returning member Crystal Lockyer.
Ursan, outgoing vice-president and a board member for three years, announced her retirement but will continue contributing as a member at large on the Supportive Housing Committee.
Financial overview
Treasurer Paul Wilder presented the financial statements for the 2024 fiscal year, noting that they were independently reviewed by Regina-based MWC Chartered Professional Accountants LLP.
Wilder addressed a board member’s question about substantiating certain expenses. During the 2024 fiscal year, Square One adopted the Canadian Accounting Standards for Not-for-Profit Organizations (ASNPO) for the first time, with changes applied retrospectively. This resulted in no changes to net assets, assets, or liabilities.
In the year ending Dec. 31, 2024, Square One saw a revenue of $359,641, including $289,156 from donations, $38,886 from grant revenue, $26,709 from fundraising, and $4,890 from investment earnings. The expense total was $133,931, including $39,659 for food risk relief meals, $37,294 for salaries and benefits, $24,000 for rent, and $11,075 for the point-in-time (PiT) count.
Net assets were $100,575 as of Jan. 1, 2024, and rose to $326,285 on Dec. 31, 2024.
In the year ending Dec. 31, 2024, Square One had a cash flow of $205,938, as compared to $50,319 on Jan. 1, 2024.
Membership approved the financial statements and reappointed MWC Chartered Professional Accountants LLP for the 2025 fiscal year.
Committee reports
The President’s Report, submitted by Mary Lee Booth, outlined the 2024 calendar year.
“When I look back to 2024, I am blown away with all the progress Square One Community has made as an organization,” Booth wrote. “Hats off to all who have worked collaboratively to make this happen!”
Booth said the highlight of 2024 was hiring Maxton Eckstein as special projects co-ordinator. Initially tasked with fulfilling objectives outlined in the 2023 Strategic Plan — including the development of a systems map to identify current services and gaps in services for individuals experiencing housing insecurity — he was promoted to general manager by unanimous vote in October.
Two of the standout milestones for 2024 included the publication of a local documentary, “A Home to Call My Own,” produced in partnership with Square One Community, Willow Lodge staff, and Rogers Communication. Since premiering in November 2024, the documentary has nearly 6,500 YouTube views.
The second milestone was the 2024 PiT count involving more than 50 volunteers in partnership with Community Connections, the My Place program, and Willow Lodge staff. Cathy Fieldgate received a special mention for help co-ordinating the event and for developing a manual for future PiT counts.
The General Manager Report, submitted by Maxton Eckstein, highlighted several achievements during his first year with Square One.
Eckstein formed a committee with representatives from Square One, Rom Jukes from the Saskatchewan Health Authority, Sask. 211, the City of Moose Jaw, and Sask. Polytech to develop a systems map. Once complete, this map will be hosted on Sask. 211 and the City of Moose Jaw website.
He also formed the Moose Jaw Social Housing Advisory Committee with 13 organizations involved in social housing, played a key role in the PiT count, production of “A Home to Call My Own,” sought sustainable funding, and engaged with the public and local government to educate and advocate.
Looking forward
Square One’s biggest challenge remains securing sustainable operational funding.
In 2025, the organization will work with Willow Lodge staff to identify individuals who experience long-term stays at the emergency shelter, and looks to enter phase two of its Supportive Housing program to secure housing and wraparound supports for these individuals. Square One also plans to work with a consultant to develop a standardized fundraising strategy.
“Thank you to the many supporters of Square One Community for working alongside with us to ‘make homelessness history,’” Booth concluded.
To learn more, visit SquareOneHousingMooseJaw.com, follow “Square One Community Inc. Moose Jaw” on Facebook, or email [email protected].
