FORT QU’APPELLE, Sask. — Southeastern Saskatchewan’s 1999 flood was devastating, but it also brought people together to help each other.
That support system continues today through the Southeast Rural Resource Program.
Leanne Porter, hired in October as the program’s financial counselor, told the Saskatchewan Women’s Agricultural Network winter conference that the grassroots program helps families assess their situations and develop plans to cope.
The program was initiated by a group of farmers and concerned citizens, including clergy, social workers and agrologists.
“As we were reaching out, we found a lot of the problems were financially rooted,” Porter said.
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Some families are having trouble paying their utility bills. The program’s Neighbors Helping Neighbors fund helps with that.
The fund grew out of a donation from several retired farmers in the Saskatoon area who were concerned about the flooding and its effects on southeastern farmers, Porter said.
The committee decided to use it for household bills. Families have to supply one reference and can receive up to $500 to pay essential bills.
Porter said 18 families have already benefited from the fund.
“We’ve drained it two or three times.”
An Ontario restaurant group raised $10,000 for the fund. Local children’s groups have also raised money.
Porter also encourages families to spend $100 on a farm financial consultation service to determine their exact situation. She then helps them develop an action plan.
She offers two key pieces of advice: don’t neglect the paperwork; and keep in touch with creditors.
She also said people should remember they have options.
“We don’t always like all of them, but we do have them.”
The program provides referrals for education and training opportunities, mental health services and stress counseling.
“Depression is a natural reaction to what’s going on,” Porter said. “I’m hearing lots and lots of difficult stories.”
The program receives support from Sask-atchewan Agriculture, Health Canada and several rural municipalities.
It serves Saskatchewan’s southeastern corner from Wolseley to the Weyburn-Pangman area.
Porter is based in the Moosomin Rural Service Centre, while program co-ordinator Karen Barnstable works out of the Estevan Rural Service Centre.
