A Safe Haven: Chris’s Journey with Haven Kid’s House

Chris Kolinski still vividly remembers the time he spent at Haven Kid’s House, formerly known as the Saskatoon Crisis Nursery.

“I remember feeling very scared about not knowing what I’m going to encounter. It was late at night and a lady answered the door and the first thing she did was get down to my level, look me in the eyes and say, ‘Hi, you must be Chris, come on in.’ She said it in a super calm and welcoming way that just calmed my nerves. It made me feel like I belonged there.”

Chris was only a couple years old the first time he visited the House and over a two year period, he spent a total of 24 days there and looking back now, those few days changed his life.

“For me, everything at home was chaos,” shares Chris. “There was alcohol, drugs, violence, and my parents did a pretty good job of making sure I was scared of everything. So going to this place with strangers was always a thing that I was scared about. But after you’re there for a little bit that fear
quickly goes away. And it really has to do with the people there and how they make you feel.

Haven Kids’ House, a Youth+Us partner, is a loving temporary home for children when their family needs it most. The organization offers emergency childcare 24/7, 365 days a year, providing a safe haven for children aged 0-12 years in times of crisis.

Chris says that the name is perfectly fitting for what they do for the community: “When you look up what the definition of ‘haven’ means, it literally means a place of safety and refuge. And that’s exactly what this place is.”

Finding hope in safe places

Chris remembers his time at Haven Kid’s House like it was yesterday. From the tube TV and VCR playing Fievel Goes West, to the old wooden playground and toy room, where he would play games with other kids.

“Those 24 days that I was there were the safest days of my entire childhood,” says Chris, fondly remembering the delicious meals, clean clothes and warm bed that were offered to him.

To put it bluntly, I truly don’t think I’d be here today if it wasn’t for places like Haven Kid’s House.

–Chris

Paving his own path

Haven Kids’ House has long been a pillar in the Saskatoon community and Chris’s experiences with the organization are a testament to its impact. He shares that being there and getting to experience a sense of normalcy gave him a new perspective on life and inspired him to take a
different path. And he did.

Chris has been married for 16 years and has two young daughters. He has a successful career as a mortgage broker and is heavily involved in the community, being a member of the Kinsmen Club of Saskatoon for over 12 years.

Looking back on his life, he reflects on what advice he would give to little Chris.

I’d go back and tell him that it’s okay to be scared because being scared is just an opportunity to also be brave. And when you’re brave, that’s where you’re learning and that’s where you’re growing. And that’s exactly what I did when I was in these situations.

-Chris

Community service changes lives

Chris is an advocate for places like Haven Kid’s House and praises the organizations that partner with non-profits in order to help keep them running.

“I don’t think a lot of these organizations understand the impact that they have when they’re partnering with places like Haven Kid’s House,” says Chris.

These partnerships keep these places open, and they’re allowing kids – kids like little Chris – to have an opportunity to
see what a little piece of normalcy is. Places like Haven Kid’s House give people like little Chris an opportunity.

-Chris