One of the greatest challenges is safety & security of both the staff and the clients including:

• Single door entrance with no ability to assess or communicate with a youth accessing the shelter without giving them access to the building
• Intake office is not soundproof and minimally secured causing a potential breach of confidentiality and risk to staff should a client becoming threatening
• No ability to separate clients or limit engagement – this becomes an issue when Sunrise House have a combination of youth who are engaging in high risk behaviors (addiction, sexual exploitation, etc.) with a youth who is in due to family breakdown and not currently engaging in high risk behaviors.
• No gender-neutral bedrooms which can create risk for the transgender or non-binary clients.

Additional challenges include:

• Building is not wheelchair accessible.
• Lack of quiet space for clients who may be experiencing a great deal of crisis or anxiety – the only option currently for a youth to be alone is to go to their bedroom which is likely shared with another client.
• Lack of separate space for programming, to do homework or have one on one planning with a support worker.
• Lack of meeting space for external workers – Children’s Services, RCMP, Alberta Health Services, and other youth serving agencies – it is important to have space for them to meet with clients as Sunrise House to hold case conferences.