‘Be the village’: Saskatoon woman keeps homeless warm this winter

As an extreme cold warning gripped Saskatoon on Thursday, Cee Jay Douglas spent the lunch hour helping others stay warm.

Outside of the The Bridge On 20th Fellowship Centre Inc., she packed dozens of water resistant bags with donated socks, scarfs, toques and mittens.

“It’s really important that when people are facing barriers that we come together for them,” she said while passing out the care kits at the a non-profit on 20th Street.

In just 20 minutes, the cardboard box holding her donations was emptied. Those receiving them expressed gratitude, even hugging Douglas as they walked into the soup kitchen.

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Douglas is no stranger to the harsh realities of mental health, additions and homelessness. She said she has friends and family members facing that very struggle.

“I’ve faced hidden homelessness in my life and it’s a struggle in itself to not have that stability, especially when you’ve worked towards it your whole life,” she added.

Douglas said that handing out warm clothing on cold days is a start to helping those in need, but the larger issue of homelessness continues to grow.

Douglas said she’s noticed more people struggling with the increase of rental rates, inflation and access to proper resources.

“Housing is becoming more capitalistic than a social program and housing is not meant to be a profitable business,” she said. “It’s meant to be a necessity.”

Douglas tries to hand out care packages four times a year, dedicating her life to take care of  the community in various ways.

Douglas serves as the vice chair of the Saskatoon Mothers’ Center, helping moms and families through programs the menstrual hygiene and diaper depot.

She hopes her work can help bridge the gap vulnerable people face, by helping them access proper resources within the city.

“It’s important to be the village, because not everybody has a village,” she said.