A growing demand for services to children and adults impacted by sexual abuse, violence and trauma has Sendero Centre urgently asking for the community's financial support.
In 2024, a total of 26,204 individuals accessed Sendero programming such as crisis intervention, therapy, counselling, community and school education, and police and court support.
Patricia Arango, executive director of Sendero Centre (formerly Central Alberta Sexual Assault Support Centre), said the focus has been on reducing costs in a variety of ways without affecting service delivery.
"I need to make sure the service is still there. I need to make sure that we keep doing what we're doing, with the people we have, with the money we get," Arango said.
Sendero says disruption to its services would have significant repercussions for Red Deer and surrounding areas, including a loss of vital support services, increased barriers to healing, a strain on other organizations, and a less informed community.
Ripple effects will also be felt by trauma survivors who may face long-term challenges, including mental health struggles, difficulty in relationships, and reduced productivity, which can affect the broader community.
Arango said Sendero has the shortest wait time to access services at three to four weeks. Longer wait times are not an option.
"Clients, they need us right now, not in 20 months like it's happening in other places. I want them to get the support when they need us."
Last year, children and youth made up 43 per cent of clients receiving counselling.
"We see a lot of kids. Parents can come and bring the child. We don't need a referral. We don't need the child to go to the doctor or psychiatrist. That makes it easy for everyone to access our services."
She said helping a child means their trauma won't result in problems in school, struggle with drugs or alcohol, end up in trouble with the justice system, be victimized again, or become a perpetrator.
"We can prevent that from happening."
Unlike the Central Alberta Child Advocacy Centre, which focuses on child abuse investigation, Sendero Centre offers healing support and advocacy for children and youth.
Arango said it's also important that Sendero's services continue to be free of charge.
"I need a lot of support. This is the moment to support us."
Individuals, organizations and businesses in the community can help by providing financial support through sponsorship opportunities; providing expertise by becoming a member of Sendero's board of directors (currently an accountant is needed to sit as treasurer); purchase a business support package to receive information about Sendero services for employees or customers and staff training on trauma-informed care; and become a Magnets of Hope distributor on behalf of Sendero to raise money for the centre.
For more information visit www.senderocentre.ca.
