Growing Home, the second national conference on homelessness, will be held in Calgary, Alberta from February 18 to 20, 2009. You are invited to submit a proposal and to register for this national conference, where you can engage in an exchange of promising practices from direct service. Learn about administrative and research perspectives, and policy formulation for all levels of government. Explore the development of a national coalition of homeless service constituents. Check these pages regularly for updates on our program and registration.

The deadline for abstract submissions is September 15, 2008.
Deadline for early conference registration is December 15, 2008.

Building on the momentum of the First Canadian Conference on Homelessness:
...held in 2005 at York University, Growing Home: Housing and Homelessness in Canada supports continuance of the following goals:

* Providing a venue for sharing ideas, experiences, research and practices about homelessness in Canada.
* Addressing a broad range of issues contributing to the complexity of homelessness and focus on diverse homeless sub-populations.
* Engaging all stakeholders in discussions about homelessness in order to reduce the socio-economic, sectoral, and geographical divisions that act as barriers to knowledge mobilization.

In addition, Growing Home: Housing and Homelessness in Canada has added a fourth goal:

* Developing a national coalition of persons dedicated to ending the Canadian housing crisis

We invite you to join us for the grand launch of the display at the museum on Wednesday, August 6 at 11:30 am. A Saskatoon Co-operative Network luncheon at the WDM, featuring a presentation by Breeann Heggie and Victoria Morris of some of the highlights of the display and history of the Co-op Youth Program will follow the viewing of the display.

In the 1920s, co-operative pioneers were aware that if they did not educate youth about co-operative ways, the movement would not continue to thrive. Pioneers began to use Co-op Schools to ensure the continuation of co-operatives and the use of the co-operative principles. Co-op Schools, now known as the Saskatchewan Co-operative Youth Program, has had over an estimated 42,000 participants and is the longest running co-operative youth education program in Canada.

SCYP hopes that you can join us to celebrate the anniversary of a program that has impacted the lives of so many Saskatchewan youth.

Date: Wednesday, August 6, 2008

Display Launch Time: 11:30 am Luncheon: 12:00 pm

Location: Western Development Museum, 2610 Lorne Avenue

Luncheon Cost: $14 per person

Please RSVP for the luncheon to Maxine at Saskatchewan Co-operative Association, 244-3702 or sca@sask.coop by August 1, 2008. please advise us of any dietary restrictions.

PROVINCE TO HOST FALL CBO SUMMIT

Social Services Minister Donna Harpauer and Legislative Secretary Greg Ottenbreit will be hosting a series of one day summits titled "Putting Our Clients First: Investing in Our Future."

The regional summits, which are another election promise kept, will bring together Community Based Organizations (CBOs) to consult on ways to strengthen the collaborative relationship between CBOs and the provincial government. The dates are:

September 15, 2008 - Saskatoon - 9 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
September 16, 2008 - Regina - 9 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
September 22, 2008 - North Battleford - 9 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
September 23, 2008 - Prince Albert - 9 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
September 25, 2008 - Yorkton - 9 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

"We are committed to ensuring that all citizens benefit from the growth of our province," Harpauer said. "We know that we cannot fully achieve that goal without the valuable services and support provided by CBOs. We are interested in strengthening the collaborative relationship to develop solutions, share successful practises and review current policies to assist in building stronger communities."

"These locations have been selected to facilitate attendance by Saskatchewan's geographically diverse CBOs," Ottenbreit said. "Participants in the ‘Putting Clients First: Investing in Our Future' summit will have the flexibility to identify and discuss those issues and challenges important to them in the delivery of services to their clients. The summit process will consist of facilitated, cross discipline, small group discussions."

Registration forms are available on-line at https://www.saskatchewan.ca/government/government-structure/ministries/social-services

For more information, contact:

Rosann Semchuk
Executive Council
Regina
Phone: 306-787-0980
Email: rosann.semchuk@gov.sk.ca
Cell: 306-529-1601