Central Alberta Crime Prevention Centre (CACPC) has launched a weekly garage sale to fill a funding gap and keep the doors open.
Garage sales run every Thursday and Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. this summer at the centre's location next to the Baymont Inn and Suites at 4311 49th Ave.
CACPC executive director TerryLee Ropchan said the 13-year-old organization has seen its operational funding support from the City of Red Deer reduced from $160,000 to $75,000 for 2023 and 2024.
This year, no operating grant was approved because of changes to the city's grant support system. CACPC has applied for the maximum $25,000 grant available and hopes to hear whether it was successful by the end of the summer.
Ropchan is concerned that if the funding gap cannot be filled, the centre may be faced with closing its doors.
Adding to the centre's challenges is that for the first time in many years, the centre did not receive a federal summer student grant. The $10,000 grant paid for two summer students to go out into the community to undertake crime prevention initiatives.
In the meantime, the centre is looking for other sources of funding and the launch of the garage sales was part of that. Other fundraisers include the popular Touch-A-Truck event that drew thousands to Westerner Park in May. There is also an annual Charity Checkstop in partnership with Coats4Kids.
Ropchan said the centre is also working on boosting its profile and spreading the word on the work it does. That includes offering Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) services and training and presentations on crime prevention, whether its general tips or measures to help protect homes, condominiums, businesses or rural properties.
Last year, CACPC undertook 19 community crime reduction initiatives, conducted 34 CPTED assessments and more than 40 volunteers donated 741 hours and helped remove 125 pieces of graffiti.
The centre also serves as a hub for other organizations, Mothers Against Drunk Driving, Red Deer Citizens on Patrol, Red Deer Rural Restorative Justice, Central Alberta Crime Stoppers and Red Deer Neighbourhood Watch, which pay an annual user fee to use CACPC office space and resources.
"We provide a home base for all of them to work from," she said.
Ropchan said besides the fundraisers, CACPC offers programs and services for fees.
"We've been able to fill some of the gaps but, obviously, there's still a big gap left," she said.
Ropchan said they do not want to send the message they are looking for a free handout.
"We needed the community to know that we need their help, but we're not just asking for money. We're trying to do things that will benefit the community, like the garage sale, things like that.
"We didn't want it to be a doom and gloom message, but at the same time, we need people to understand that we do need their help."
It is hoped the garage sale will steadily grow in size and become a bigger source of future funding. It will open every Thursday and Friday throughout the summer and hours will be reviewed for the fall.
"We're just hoping that people support it and it becomes its own social enterprise," she said. "The biggest message we want to put out is that there is a way for residents and citizens to come out and support crime prevention."
CACPC had as many as five staff and four summer students years ago. Ropchan and program and services co-ordinator Denise Rambow are the only staff now.
"We don't want to fundraise just for the sake of fundraising," she said.
"I think the loss of the city funding for operations has affected how many people can work here and that affects our capacity out in the community.
CACPC is looking for donations of household items and clothing, which can be dropped off at the 4311 49th Ave. during garage sale hours or Mondays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
