Local singer wins Sask music award
Singer/songwriter and local restauranteur Elenee Young has quite a lot on her plate, but she wouldn’t have it any other way.
The wife and mother of two was recently named Inspirational/Spiritual Artist of the Year (2023), at the Saskatchewan Music Awards in Saskatoon.
“It was kind of out of nowhere … it was an honour. My reaction was a bit surprised, but I was also overwhelmed a little bit,” said Young, adding she didn’t have a speech prepared because she didn’t think she’d win.
Young said she’s also very grateful for the support she has received from those in the Lloydminster region.
“The community has been super helpful, and encouraging, even though my space is really a niche— I’m a Christian/gospel singer/songwriter/producer. The people that aren’t interested in that niche of music, they still support me, which I think is really cool.”
Inspiration for her music comes in the moment, and she’ll write down song ideas and lyrics when the mood strikes.
“When I feel down or tired or stressed, I write with the mindset of, OK, how do I want to feel? I write from that vein because I feel like the theme of inspiration music—it always has a positive undercurrent.”
Residents in Recovery faces major cuts

Due to a lack of funding, the Residents in Recovery Society has been forced to cease the operation of life-changing recovery programs.
Executive director, Tyler Lorenz, says the decision to discontinue pre and post-treatment sober living and outpatient day programming was brought forward by the board with a heavy heart.
“It was pretty devastating … there’s really no options. We’re the only organization that takes people unfunded. Most places will require you to be on Alberta Works or Sask income support before you come into their program. We do not,” explained Lorenz.
“We’ve seen it over and over again—if they don’t come directly from jail or remand directly to the centre they just don’t come. We talk to a lot of probation officers because a lot of our clients are on condition, so they’re all kind of beside themselves right now,” he said, adding they work closely with probation officers on both sides of the border.
In a Jan. 8 press release Residents in Recovery stated that requests from both provincial governments had been made without success, and the existing funding from the Saskatchewan government was reduced when the cost-of-living increase was removed from the contract the previous year.
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