Denise Kennedy was one of the volunteers who gave out coffee and blankets to the homeless people at Regina’s tent city, which later became Camp Marjorie and was called Camp Hope until it disbanded on Monday.

“I started volunteering at the camp because my daughter, who is an addict, is utilizing the facilities there and staying at the camp,” said Kennedy, who was a first-time volunteer at the camp because of her personal connection.

Camp Hope was housing about 60 people affected by homelessness at Pepsi Park in downtown Regina. According to its Facebook page, “Camp Hope’s sole mission is to get people off the street and into adequate shelter. Our focus is the human cost, first and foremost.”

To get things done around the camp and to help the residents, people were allowed to volunteer.

“The volunteers serve food, coffee, give out blankets, mittens, clothing, do sharps walks (collect used syringes), talk with residents and provide information if they have questions,” said Kennedy. “[They] check on residents frequently to watch for signs of overdose, advocate for the residents if they have any challenges.”

There are different ways in which volunteers can help at the camp.

“Some would come in a few times a week to organize the supply tent,” said Kennedy. “Some would cook meals at home and drop them off, some volunteers are only comfortable serving the food, then there are people who set up tents, picking up garbage, keeping the charcoal in the barbeque pits going.”

“Wellness checks, purchasing supplies and dropping them off, making sure the Naloxone supply is stocked, throwing together sandwiches in the tent, making snack bags, taking dishes home to wash them and bring back, some take laundry home to wash, working overnight to watch the supply tent and stop outsiders from entering camp overnight. Then there are those doing the book work and accounting to keep track of monetary donations and how they are utilized.”

Kennedy said there was strong support from everybody in the community, from the staff to the residents. There were some down times, such as several residents overdosing, and an overwhelming feeling of sadness within the group.

“What we have realized here is we have asked people not to use drugs and that still happens,” said Shylo Stevenson, communications officer for Regina Needle Recovery.

“Because addicts will still find a way to use drugs even in a dry environment.”

The camp moved 40 out of approximately 60 residents to the new facility on Monday, which means those left have to find a new home. The indoor facility is run by Regina Treaty Status Indian Services, has capacity for just 40 people and is located at Regina’s warehouse district, 1204 Hamilton St.

“From my time there, I will say the camp is doing very well at harm reduction and making sure the residents know they have people that care about them,” said Kennedy.