Friendship Centre receives $35K to continue operating men’s shelter

The Bonnyville Friendship Centre is getting funding support from the town to continue operating its men’s shelter.

At Tuesday’s regular council meeting a motion was made to confirm $35,000 in funding towards keeping the shelter employed over the next few months as the Friendship Centre awaits a grant reply.

This money was already allotted in the town’s 2022 budget, set aside in case the Friendship Centre needed the dollars.

Community Initiatives Coordinator Janet Gobert wrote to the town on August 9 for assistance, saying the shelter has been consistently used since opening its doors, which happened in late 2020.

“I think that they do a really great job there. They’re busy. Which is not always a good thing, but it’s a good thing to have them in our community,” Mayor Elisa Brosseau told Lakeland Connect. 

“I think if we have an organization like the Bonnyville Friendship Centre that’s willing to take this on and provide this for the community, then I think it is incumbent on us as a municipality to support them there.” 

The shelter sits at 5001 48th Street, behind the Red Apple on Main Street.

Bonnyville had previously committed $15,000 towards the shelter in 2021.

“The reason that it’s in front of you this evening and we haven’t just approved it and cut them a cheque was more of a housekeeping effort because, although it is in the budget, council wasn’t 100 per cent sure the money was going to be needed. It is needed, and that’s why it’s brought forward for discussion,” explained CAO Bill Rogers during the meeting. 

Open for those who are in need, Indigenous or non-indigenous, there is room for eight occupants in the facility.

The Friendship is expected to make a delegation to council in the upcoming weeks during the Town’s budget deliberations, which requires community groups that receive over $1,000 in funding to present in front of elected council.