Cindy Jensen, executive director of A Gathering Place in Red Deer, is concerned about the future of the mental health support program after the recent loss of funding from Recovery Alberta.
A Gathering Place, part of the STEPS Society of Red Deer, offers a safe environment for adults living with mental illness. The program helps participants connect with their peers, build life skills, and prevent crisis situations. Through its various programs, A Gathering Place provides much-needed community support and mental health services to individuals facing daily challenges.
“We provide a space for individuals to learn life skills, build healthy relationships, and manage self-care strategies,” said Jensen. “Our members are involved in everything from meal preparation to running the clubhouse, which helps them develop pre-employment skills.”
The program’s funding was cut when Recovery Alberta, transitioning from Alberta Health, realigned its services. Jensen explained that many of the programs offered by A Gathering Place, along with two other similar organizations in the Central region, no longer fall under Recovery Alberta’s mandate. The funding will run out April 30.
“Right now, we’re trying to figure out where we fit into the broader healthcare system,” Jensen said. “We’ve been a part of Alberta Health Services since 2011, but now we’re looking for other organizations or government bodies that might be able to support us.”
A Gathering Place requires between $18,000 and $20,000 a month to operate, and Jensen is working hard to find alternative funding sources to keep the program running.
“The response from the community has been overwhelmingly supportive,” she said. “Our members, their families, and even former advisory board members have been advocating for us.”
Currently, A Gathering Place (2830 Bremner Ave) has 91 active members, some of whom visit the program daily. Jensen said that if the program had to shut its doors, the impact would be significant on those who rely on the support it provides.
“We’re exploring every avenue to secure interim funding while we continue to search for longer-term solutions,” Jensen said.
Jensen is encouraging the community to take action in support of A Gathering Place. She is asking people to contact their MLA and help spread the word about the program’s funding needs.
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