The Sendero Centre, a Red Deer non-profit that provides free support to survivors of sexual trauma, abuse and violence, is issuing an urgent call for community support as it faces a significant funding shortfall.
In 2024, the centre served 26,204 individuals through its various programs, including child and adult counselling, police and court support, and education initiatives delivered in schools and communities. All services are offered at no cost to clients.
Despite the growing demand, the organization has been forced to reduce staff hours in an effort to manage limited funding. While client care remains unaffected for now, the reduction signals a concerning financial strain that could impact the delivery of free services in the near future.
To continue its work, the Sendero Centre is seeking support from individuals, businesses and community partners through donations or program sponsorships.
There are several opportunities to get involved:
-
Donate counselling hours: A contribution of $50 to $200 helps fund professional counselling services for children and adults.
-
Sponsor the 24-hour crisis line: A $5,000 annual sponsorship helps keep this essential service available around the clock.
-
Support play therapy: Donations between $50 and $1,000 provide therapeutic resources that foster emotional healing for children.
-
Fund education and prevention programs: A $5,000 sponsorship supports outreach efforts in schools and communities, promoting safety, consent and awareness.
-
Fuel the Community Impact vehicle: A $2,000 contribution helps maintain and expand outreach services to underserved and rural areas.
The organization stresses that community contributions play a crucial role in ensuring survivors can continue to access support without financial barriers. Every donation helps create a ripple effect of healing, safety and education across Central Alberta.
The Sendero Centre, formerly known as the Central Alberta Sexual Assault Support Centre, is located at the Sheldon Kennedy Centre of Excellence.
For more information about how to support the Sendero Centre or to become a program sponsor, contact Christi Albers-Manicke at calbers-manicke@senderocentre.ca.
Sign up to get the latest local news headlines delivered directly to your inbox every afternoon.
Send your news tips, story ideas, pictures, and videos to news@centralalbertaonline.com.
CentralAlbertaOnline encourages you to get your news directly from your trusted source by bookmarking this page and downloading the CentralAlbertaOnline app.