It was a year of challenges for Dories House and the Southwest Youth Emergency Shelter (YES) non-profit. Some old holdovers; funding and government support, colliding with new challenges like the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

But despite the challenges, board members at the annual AGM are calling the previous year a success on a number of fronts thanks to a couple of key projects and some creative use of their assets.

Shaun Hanna is the board president of Southwest YES.

"We had a very successful year in spite of COVID. I was certainly very pleased with the work that our board does. Of course, it's entirely a volunteer board and they devote many hours to seeing the shelter operates and run in the capacity that we're able to so yeah, overall a very good year."

Financially, Dories house came out slightly ahead of previous years despite losing some fundraising opportunities and seeing a drop in donations.

That shortfall was partially made up through a combination of grant funding and through one of the projects that Hanna is especially proud of; partnering with Swift Current Crisis Services on an agreement for use of Dories House office space.

It's an agreement that he called a "win-win".

"So it was a win for us in terms of strengthening the existing partnerships that we had. It was a win for them for being able to expand their programs, and it was a win for the community to make a place safer and more inclusive. So it was one of the projects that we took on this year that we were really, really proud of."

Other business at the AGM saw some role changes, as long time board member Sue Pittet has stepped away for the time being. Two new board members were introduced; Nathan Gill, a commercial account member with RBC, and Carrie Davis, co-ordinator of victim services in the southwest.

Shaun Hanna was reaffirmed by acclamation as president of the board for another term.

Glenn Alexander was nominated and affirmed as Vice-president, while his previous role of secretary was awarded to Janelle Anderson.

And finally, Nicole Dzuba, the long-time treasurer, reaffirmed her position.

Swift Current Online will have more on Dories House and its ongoing projects in the coming weeks.