SquareOne Community Inc. Moose Jaw is a new local initiative focusing on housing and homeless challenges within the community. The goal is to help people to rebuild their lives from square one.

It was created by a number of organizations coming together, including the John Howard Society, Moose Jaw Food Bank, Moose Jaw Literacy, and Journey to Hope.

The initiative is still in its early stages, and right now they are hoping to raise awareness and funds to support the homeless population in Moose Jaw.

Last year, SquareOne was contacted by locals Bill and Laurette Keen who were looking to help. The two artists create and paint metallic art, and currently have a gallery set up at the Mosaic Art Gallery, located within the Moose

A piece of art created by Bill and Laurette Keen. (Photo credit, Wendy Peterson). Jaw Cultural Centre. Bill has been sculpting for nearly 50 years, and Laurette has been painting with him for around 25 years.

Initially, Laurette says they were planning on donating the money raised from their gallery toward mental health initiatives with SquareOne, but Bill decided to take it a step further by creating a pair of metal trees that have leaves on them that people can 'buy' to have their names engraved on.

"Bill thought that there would be people coming to the gallery who don't want a sculpture, but they would still want to donate to the cause," says Laurette, "So he came up with the idea of sculpting the trees and putting them together to symbolize the community working together for this cause, and having people donate toward it by purchasing a leaf."

"We wanted to make sure that everything that was donated went directly to SquareOne and stayed in Moose Jaw. We felt it was also important for people to get tax receipts. It's all coming together really well."

They call the fundraising initiative 'Stronger Together.'

Della Ferguson is the chair of the fundraising committee for SquareOne Community Inc.

"Those leaves could be with people's present names, memorial names, or business names, and those trees will stand in the John Howard Society on their wall as a permanent fixture."

"The money raised will be focused on the My Place Program which is currently being run by the John Howard Society. It will be put toward mental health initiatives and helping support people literally start from square one in rebuilding their lives."

Around 50 leaves have been sold already with approximately 110 still available for purchase.

If you would like your name, your business's name, or the name of a loved one engraved on a leaf, you're asked to contact Bill and Laurette at wck@sasktel.net or by calling 306-692-4912.

You can also visit the SquareOne Community Facebook Page.

A portion of Bill and Laurette's gallery located at the Conexus Visual Arts Centre, attached to the Cultural Centre