Due to funding challenges and rising costs, the Sendero Centre, a non-profit organization formerly known as the Central Alberta Sexual Assault Support Centre in Red Deer, is facing a dire situation and is pleading for support from the community of Central Alberta before it is too late.
The goal is ambitious but necessary — $300,000 must be raised by the Sendero Centre in the next two months to ensure essential services continue for those who rely on them.
The situation currently impacting non-profits throughout the province is not new. Sexual assault support centres across Alberta have been forced to make abrupt changes in programming and staffing.
The Sendero Centre does not want to follow suit, but admits that without community support, they may be forced to do the same.
“This is a very concerning moment for us as an agency and for our clients and the families and individuals we support in Central Alberta. Due to funding challenges and rising costs, we are facing a situation where, with great regret, I must tell you that we must reduce programs if we don’t receive the support, we need over the next few months,” said Patricia Arango, executive director of the Sendero Centre.
“Just like we encourage our clients to ask for help and support when they are going through traumatic and tough times, we have realized as an agency that we need to ask for help from Central Alberta. It is a hard thing to do, but we have to remember who we are doing this for. It’s for the children and adults in our counselling program, the people navigating the justice system through our Police and Court Support Program, and those in crisis calling or texting our Support Line or SART Team,” said Arango.
In 2024, the centre had 3,400 counselling appointments — 273 of those were for clients under the age of 18.
“Some of our clients are as young as a few years old, barely starting life and already facing very tough situations, while some of our clients are in their 90s — they are grandparents and elders. We help and support everyone, but we can’t do it alone, and we need the help of Central Alberta. I am very afraid that without the community, we will be forced to close — and then what will happen to our clients and those families?” said Arango.
The centre currently has 158 clients in the Resource Specialist Program, with 97 clients at the intake and waiting list level.
They are seeing an average of 15 to 20 clients per day.
Arango also adds that last year, the Sendero Centre saw 78 new clients in their Police and Court Support Program, and that some of those files and cases can last years.
“We are at a make-or-break moment, and this is a ‘save the Sendero’ attempt. Whether it is a toonie, $200 raised at a birthday or bake sale, or $20,000 from a program sponsorship — every little bit helps our clients. Right now, we are doing everything we can as a team to raise money for our centre. Our staff are now having to add fundraising on top of supporting clients while continuing to provide support services,” said Christi Albers-Manicke, communications specialist with the Sendero Centre.
As part of their attempt to raise funds, the Sendero Centre will be holding ‘Toonies for Tomorrow’ throughout the month of June, wrapping up on Friday, June 20.
Donation portals will be set up at locations around Red Deer and Central Alberta, collecting cash and online donations.
Individuals and community groups are also being encouraged to “donate a toonie or twenty” online at senderocentre.ca/donate, or at one of the various locations around Central Alberta.
“We understand it’s difficult for a lot of businesses — not just non-profits — right now, but we are hoping someone out there will be able to help our clients out,” said Arango.
Anyone interested in hosting a donation portal or wanting to discuss sponsorship opportunities are encouraged to email calbers-manicke@senderocentre.ca.
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