F.A.Q.

Q: What is the Saskatoon Community Service Village?

A: The Village is a unique model of agency co-location and collaboration, providing each of the 11 Village agencies with the opportunity to:

• build an enhanced and more helpful community; 
• share a common, dynamic vision which strengthens each agency's ability to serve the community; 
• network and support each other, exchange ideas and address social issues; and  
• share resources, offer joint programming and reduce duplication of services. 
  

Q: How was the Village paid for?

A: In May of 1999 the Village launched a capital campaign with the goal of raising $3.4 million dollars to build the Village. To date, our campaign has raised $2.65 million dollars.

 

Q: Why was the Saskatoon Community Service Village built?

A: Partnerships and strategic alliances ensure that the most effective use of resources is possible. The six founding agencies of the Village worked as partners with the singular goal of increasing the value of their resources and their ability to serve their clients. Sharing resources (such as meeting rooms, audio-visual equipment and postage machine) has resulted in increased efficiency, while co-location has provided easier access to services for the community. This amounts to better value for donors and the community at large. The Village is an example of effective partnering and it demonstrates increased capacity to serve a wider range of clients with innovative and more integrated services.

 

Q: Do other models similar to the Village exist?

A: Saskatoon and the Village broke new ground with this model of collaboration and agency co-location. The Village has pioneered a model that is now being replicated across North America. The official opening of the Village took place in the spring of 2001 and has since attracted international interest. The Village continues to support discussions about replica models and concepts. Similar initiatives are currently being developed in Calgary, Ottawa, Lethbridge, Victoria and Australia.

 

Q: Who owns the Village?

A: The founding partner agencies of the Village (Catholic Family Services, Family Service Saskatoon, Saskatoon Crisis Intervention Service, Saskatoon Sexual Assault & Information Centre, The United Way of Saskatoon & Area, and the YWCA) worked together to create a new legal charitable organization; but they did not merge to form a legal partnership. The Village is an independent, non-profit, charitable organization. Each of the six partner agencies appoints two members to the Village Board of Directors. The Board of Directors employs a full-time Village Coordinator.

 

Q: How can I support the Village?

A: A donation of any amount enables the Village and its 11 agencies to direct more funding dollars towards programming for families, children and individuals in Saskatoon and surrounding area.