Canada’s first HIV and high risk pre-and-postnatal Home which is located in Saskatoon, is celebrating its first anniversary today (Wed).
Executive director, Katelyn Roberts, says historically if a mom had substance abuse issues and was identified as not being able to keep her baby safe, they would be separated at birth and the baby would be put into care. She considers this counterproductive when with the right support before the baby is born and afterwards, both mother and child have a better chance at thriving.

Roberts explains that if mothers and babies are together, they have the chance to bond which prevents attachment disorder in the baby, and taking care of the child is a huge motivator for the mom to move towards recovery.

In its first year, 21 babies have been born and 17 are living with their mothers in the community or are at Sanctum. Four are with family rather than being placed in foster care and all of the babies are healthy with no transmission of HIV from mother to baby.