Grace Caputo, who has been the literacy group’s co-ordinator since November 2020, said the agency was formed in 2007. Throughout the year, they offer free educational, fun programs that are open to all members of the community. The literacy group was located in the Estevan Public Library for many years, but it is now in the Estevan Comprehensive School. They have programs for children and adults, and they work with English as Another Language adults. “We solely survive on grants, local donations and fundraising, which allows us to offer free programming,” said Caputo. The literacy group is a United Way Estevan member agency, and the United Way is their biggest contributor. Saskatchewan Lotteries, the Children’s Initiative Fund, the Access Communications Children Fund and the Estevan Lions Club are among the other supporters.
Editor s Note: this is the latest article in the Co-op Cares series that celebrates organizations doing good things in the communities served by the Southern Plains Co-op. Thanks to the Co-op for . . .
The building that houses the museum was constructed in 1908, making it a perfect place to house so many historical items. In 1987, the building was vacant, and its owner at the time, the local credit union, agreed to donate it to the town if the town agreed to forego the property taxes. “At that time, a group got together and said they want to make it into a museum,” said Leonard Moncrief, who is the chairperson of the museum committee. The museum, which opened in 1990, houses artifacts that reflect the Alameda area’s history. “The objective is to ensure future generations will know how this area was settled, and the people who built this community,” said Moncrief.
The non-profit organization has been providing free or low-cost programming to members of the community, assisting with family support. Stephanie Barnes has been the program co-ordinator since last September, but she was far from a stranger to the family centre’s programs when she took the job. She was a board member for two years, and she started taking her kids to the centre when her family moved to Oxbow four years ago. “It’s a place where parents can bring their kids. It’s a place where you can come and feel welcome if you’re having a good day or a bad day. It’s a good place to meet people. It’s just a good place to interact. It helps prepare you, give ideas for parenting or schooling, or other things to do with kids,” said Barnes.
But meals haven’t always been its focus. Warm Welcome started in 2012 as a shelter, providing a place to stay for the homeless in the community during the winter months. Not only was it a refuge for those who couldn’t afford a place to live, but it was a needed service for those who came to the community to work but couldn’t find a home at a time when Estevan had no available rental properties. But in the fall of 2017, Warm Welcome pivoted, and switched its shelter to a community kitchen, where people come to enjoy a hot meal and fellowship.