Former Lighthouse staff say troubles go beyond misuse of money, clients are paying the price

Amid revelations that the head of the Lighthouse Supported Living Inc. was using shelter funds for personal loans, former employees are speaking out with concerns about the organization's ability to serve some of the community's most vulnerable people under its new leadership.

In January, executive director Don Windels was put on leave. Two existing board members — board president and chair Jerome Hepfner, and board vice-president Twila Reddekopp — assumed leadership in Windels's absence.

Less than a month later, Hepfner and Reddekopp fired five managers without cause. Since then, several other employees have been fired without cause, while others have quit.

CBC News spoke to eight former managers and employees. Most asked to remain anonymous due to fear of backlash and concerns about future employment opportunities.

They are worried that staff equipped to deal with clients' complex needs are gone, putting services at risk.

"Our main concern still is with the residents," said Melissa Smith, former Lighthouse director of advancement and associate executive director. 

"All of us that have left are very concerned about what's happening inside of the building with the residents, as more and more professional individuals are either leaving or being asked to leave."

People who were fired or quit since the board takeover include:

Many positions remain unfilled. 

Former employees say clients and residents have reached out to them to say they are "quite upset" because they had good relationships with the departed staff.

"They [clients and residents] are not comfortable. They feel that it isn't home anymore. It is a much more antagonistic place to be," said one former employee.

Hepfner, the current board president and chair, said the Lighthouse has been working with the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) over the last few months to hire staff. Hepfner did not specify what kind of expertise the Lighthouse has hired or plans to hire, despite being asked repeatedly. 

"The staff that we have in place have been reviewed with Sask Health, and they have every confidence in the staff that we have in place," Hepfner said in an interview.

The leadership and staffing situation has prompted the Saskatoon Crisis Intervention Service (SCIS) to remove itself from the managed alcohol program at the Lighthouse.