Bonnyville Friendship Centre Gains Town Council Support for New Outreach Initiative

A new outreach initiative proposed by the Bonnyville Friendship Centre has received formal support from the Town of Bonnyville, following council’s Oct. 28 decision to endorse the plan through an official letter of support.

The Friendship Centre’s letter to council describes the outreach model as “compassionate, culturally grounded and practical, with the goal of saving lives and fostering community resilience.” The Town’s endorsement strengthens the organisation’s ability to apply for grant funding and advance the next stage of planning.

Focus on Mobile Services and Harm Reduction

The proposed initiative includes several components aimed at assisting vulnerable residents in Bonnyville:

▪️ A mobile warming station operating during extreme weather
▪️ Mobile outreach services providing essential items and support
▪️ Overdose-prevention education and harm-reduction materials
▪️ Cultural and land-based addiction supports

Council noted that the plan addresses a growing need in the community and complements existing service providers by filling gaps in immediate, on-the-ground support.

Funding Considerations Clarified

Councillors agreed that the Town’s endorsement is limited to a support letter and does not include financial commitment. Any funding requests from the Friendship Centre would require a formal submission during the municipal budget process.

The support letter was approved unanimously.

Next Steps

While the Friendship Centre has not yet announced a rollout date, the letter indicates that planning and partnership development are underway. Securing external funding will determine the pace of implementation for the mobile warming station and related outreach services.

The Town’s approval marks a significant step for the initiative as the Friendship Centre continues working to expand harm-reduction education, cultural supports and safety resources for vulnerable individuals in the region.