Programs

Our Vision

At Carmichael Outreach, our vision is to see the end of poverty and homelessness in our community. We envision a strong, inclusive community founded on the values of respect and dignity for all.

We are proud to offer programs that work towards our vision and help serve and foster community spirit in Regina, Saskatchewan.

Our Impact

Housing Support Program

Our Housing Support Program provides support to members of our community struggling to find and maintain housing. We compile and distribute a weekly list of affordable rentals to over 100 community partners and provide assistance in navigating the Residential Tenancies Act (click here for our housing list). We operate using the Housing First model, with a focus on creating a supportive environment for our communities most complex members. We focus on relationship building, mediation between tenants and landlords, tenancy skill-building, and ensuring that when people find their rental, they also find their home.

Food Security and Nutrition Program

Partnering with businesses and organizations around Regina, Carmichael Outreach rescues prepared food and gives it to individuals and families in need. In 2016, Carmichael Outreach served over 60,000 meals. We also offer a nutrition program that teaches healthy food preparation on a budget. This program is focused on meeting short-term needs and providing long-term solutions to our community members.

Free Clothing and Household Boutique

Every Monday–Friday, we accept donations of seasonal clothing, toys, games, books, housewares, and small household goods. Our team of volunteers sort through these goods and place them in the boutique where anyone in need can access what they need, free of charge. In an average week, we receive and distribute around 100 donations of used goods.

COVID-19 NOTE: We have a reduced capacity of 2 people browsing the boutique at one time. Masks and hand sanitation are required to enter, and we encourage our clients to bring their own masks (we will provide masks for those who don’t have one one hand). Clothing/household donations are currently closed.

Children’s Needs Program

Coupled with Access Communications Children’s Fund and the CTV Bundle of Joy campaign, we provide diapers, wipes, and milk to families within the city. We distribute thousands of diapers a year to parents, and provide milk to 126 families.

In addition to milk and diapers, we also offer children’s activities throughout the year. Our Kids Christmas Party is always a hit, and we organize multiple Family Fun Days throughout the summer.

Harm Reduction and Health Focus

Population and Public Health

Partnering with the Regina Qu’Appelle Health Region, Carmichael Outreach hosts two public health nurses for a clinic. On-site testing, and primary care is available. Members of the Street Project also attend and provide community clinics on various personal health and wellness topics throughout the year.

Our new facility has a medical clinic office on site specifically for our public health nurses.

500

Attendees For Public Health Issue Seminars

Needle Exchange Program

Carmichael Outreach hosts one of two local Needle Exchange Programs, operated by The Street Project team from the Regina Qu’Appelle Health Region. This service operates on the principles of harm reduction, prevents the spread of disease, and offers individuals battling addiction a friendly face and resource to sobriety. We have a 99.97% retention rate.

We are planning to reintroduce this program at our new facility at a later date.

592,117

Used Needles Exchanged in 2013

Healing Circle

Carmichael Outreach will frequently host a Healing Circle for 20+ regular attendees. This program incorporates traditional Aboriginal spirituality and offers a safe space to discuss journeys to healing.

We plan to open our new healing room specifically dedicated to traditional Aboriginal spirituality and healing in our new facility at a later date.

100+

People Healing Together

Programming and Activities

The Arts

Carmichael is a believer in supporting the arts. In the past, we have offered art classes on site, taught by one one of our staff members.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, our arts and crafts programs (typically held on Thursday afternoons) have been put on hold.

Literacy

Word Search Wednesday is our weekly program designed to promote literacy in the community. Each attendee is given a copy of a word search, and has all afternoon to complete it. This is a fun way for our community members to spend an afternoon working out their brains and enjoying the company of one another!

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, our Word Search Wednesday program has been put on hold.

Community Clean-Up

Once the sun starts to shine, we get to work with our spring and summer community clean-ups! We gather volunteers who are willing to dedicate their time tidying up the Heritage neighbourhood here in Regina. Followed up with a tasty barbeque, community clean-ups serve as a great way to spend a Friday morning! Thank you to the Heritage Community Association for allowing us to use their kitchen space, as well as a barbeque!

Life Skills Class

Our Group Therapy and Life Skills Class was sponsored by the SaskTel TelCare fund and worked with some of the most complex members of our community to rebuild self-esteem and self-worth, and to develop self-sustaining life skills. Over the course of this program, the students set personal goals and worked towards them by learning a variety of skills including, but not limited to, goal setting, problem solving, trust and friendship, budgeting, healthy food preparation, and employment skills. We look forward to offering this program again in the future!

Check out some photos of the 2018 graduates and their journey!