A delegation representing the Sundre Greenwood Neighbourhood Place Society recently requested funding from council following a presentation outlining the organization’s contributions to the community.
“We struggle on a yearly basis with funding,” said Marita Stermann, the society’s executive director, adding grants tend to come and go.
“The big one that is going to disappear in April of 2019 is going to put our work and our mission in jeopardy. So we are here today to let you know we need your financial support, we need your mandate to continue the work we do to stay on track with the services and social support for Sundre residents,” said Stermann, who was accompanied by Dolores Dercach, the board’s chair, during council’s Oct. 15 meeting.
Stermann told the Round Up last week that the society will not know until December whether $45,000 in Community Building Initiative Program grant funding will be renewed. The program initially provided funds to help start GNP nearly 20 years ago and is currently under review by Alberta Human Services, now known as Community and Social Services.
“In the past four years we have consistently received information that the program funding will end. With the auditors report outstanding and the history of this program, we know not to count on the funds to carry us forward in 2019,” she wrote in an email.
The changes in the province’s human services department on how contracts are being awarded were long overdue, she added.
“There is hope that new funding or programs will become available, but according to a representative with the department, are not scheduled for procurement until 2020.”
Without that funding, the society will be forced to slim services down as much as possible to ensure a balanced budget, Stermann told council, adding the organization is hoping for a minimum long-term commitment from the municipality of at least $30,000 per year.
The request came after a detailed PowerPoint presentation outlining the numerous programs, initiatives and social services the organization is dedicated to providing the community.
“If you don’t know where to send people, send them to GNP,” said Stermann.
The society, which has its office located on the west side of the Sundre Community Centre, also offers a volunteer centre that facilitates and fosters community connections, she said.
“Sundre volunteers are outstanding. They’re always willing to help.”
GNP has a board of 11 directors as well as a staff of eight who work four days a week.
A new vision and mission statement were also created during the society’s last strategic planning. The organization’s vision is of Sundre and area being a connected, thriving, engaged and inclusive community. Its mission as a registered charity and resource centre is to respond to the community’s needs through leadership, referrals, programming and services, she said.
“We see about 100 people come through our doors with inquiries, either by walking in or calling our centre” on a weekly basis, she said, adding the main reason people come is to seek seniors support services.
“That is only on the rise; we haven’t seen a decline.”
Among the community’s identified needs are a variety of complex issues such as people who are enduring financial hardship that could be the result of abuse or neglect, she said.
“We are always working on problem solving and trying to figure out how we can help these individuals so as to not leave them standing in the rain. Those are sometimes very tough situations, and they also don’t get easier over the years,” she said, adding helping people to cope is an ongoing challenge.
Overall, the Sundre and Area Family Community Support Services, which is administered under the umbrella of GNP, offers 45 programs, which have counted a total of 7,336 participants, and 659 registered volunteers who have invested 2,791 volunteer hours, reads information from the presentation.
Among the society’s most successful endeavours is the annual Sundre Santas, which always receives plenty of support from the community in the form of volunteers and sponsorship, she said.
“Even with the turndown in the economy, where we had some concerns over the past few years, Sundre just stood up to the call,” said Dercach.
“Not everybody knows what we do,” said Stermann.
Mayor Terry Leslie expressed gratitude for the presentation, and said formal requests for funding should be submitted in writing for budget consideration. The mayor added the society has built a “reputation of credibility, of innovation and support for everybody — no matter what age group — in this community.”
As budget deliberations continue, council could certainly consider the society’s request, he said.
Council passed a motion to receive the report for information.
The following is a list of some of Greenwood Neighbourhood Place's programs and services:
• Preventive programming for children, youth, families, seniors and adults.
• Continuing education options, employment support programs as well as career and employment workshops.
• A resource centre that offers access to computers as well as faxing and photocopying services.
• Information and referrals as well as a welcome service for newcomers.
• The coordinated community response to address elder abuse.
• The volunteer tax program for people on fixed incomes with simple returns that has been growing annually.
• The annual Sundre Santas volunteer-driven hamper program.
Visit www.mygnp.org or call 403-638-1011 for more information on the services and programs available through GNP.
