Walk for Warmth 2025

Today, there are people in our community struggling with housing insecurity.
They need trained people to help them regroup,

find their way, and secure a place to live.

On March 13th, 2025 at 7pm Square One Community's Walk for Warmth was held.

The community gathered...and the sight was INCREDIBLE!

Moose Jaw Police Service....MEDAVIE Health Services West...Moose Jaw Fire Department...ANAVETS...Mental Health and Addictions Services....

Students from Westmount Generosity Club....Cornerstone Christian School....Journey2Hope Youth Chapter

St. Joseph's Social Justice Team...St. Joseph's CWL....Church of our Lady....Comfort Choir Doric St. George's Masonic Lodge...NarAnon Family Group

...Superstore...

3Keys Property Management (highest pledges at 2680.00!!!!!)

Primary Eye Care....Water Security Agency Walkers....

Groups of Friends: Camino Trio(who stood at the pledge table and topped up their pledges to make it an even $1000.00)

Best Friends...Frantastic Friends....Thrice is Nice...The Comfort Choir ...

We had dignitaries:

MLA Moose Jaw Wakamow, Megan Patterson....

City Councillor Chris Warren of Warren's Haven...

We had families...like the Burgess Family and two Hutchinson families...

and we had individuals Brenda Brodie, Dalelene Yelland, Karen Langton, Gail & Al Donald, and "Nowalker". ....and those are just the registered names.

And of course, Square One Community Board and Fundraising Committee.

150 plus people came together to walk!

Square One Community GM Max Eckstein announced that federal funding would facilitate the support of 30 individuals in Supportive Housing, moving Square One Community forward in the mission.

Max encouraged walkers to consider "WHY THEY WALK" and shared why SQUARE ONE COMMUNITY WALK, siting the positive feedback from people we already serve....ie: "I finally feel safe and can sleep at night in the warmth of my own place".

Sue Karner shared a poem on the theme of WHY WE WALK, written in memory of her Mom who lived unhoused on the streets of Moose Jaw.

Moose Jaw Comfort Choir then sang their re-written words to "500 Miles" to inspire and send the walkers off on their way. When their song was complete, the sound of St. Aidan's Church Bells rang out through the ice-crystally night as a song of hope and solidarity.

The walkers spanned a city block...a sight that stirred the heart.

Walkers arrived at Zion United feeling the sharp contrast of the warm building to the night's brisk air, and being welcomed by the smiles of SEIU WEST volunteers and the smell of hot chocolate. Thanks to SEIU West for hosting the luncheon of hot chocolate and cookies!

The Walkers were then given post-it notes by our RBC Walk Ambassadors and asked to write down their "Why they Walked".

Max then introduced newly hired housing support worker, Mariah Graham to share her "lived experience" of going from homelessness to employment. Mariah courageously moved us with her candid accounts of living unhoused. She told the full room how she was moved by the community support that she witnessed at the Walk.

Councillor Chris Warren spoke of the Resolution City Council passed to be sent to SUMA siting the need for Supportive Housing funding for rural municipalities across the province and the support that Mayor Murdock and City Council have for this Supportive Housing Initiative.

MLA for Moose Jaw Wakamow, Megan Patterson, spoke of the voice she brings to the legislature from her constituents, and the initiatives the Provincial Government are involved in.

We closed with Max speaking to our "next steps collectively" to advocate, to stay aware, and to spread the word with us regarding Square One Community fundraising efforts.

It was a night when the Community of Moose Jaw came together in loving support and the energy of hope was palpable.

Square One Community Board and Fundraising Committee(Sue, Noreen, Leigh, Fran, Bernie and Della) are profoundly grateful for this INCREDIBLE show of support.