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Snow Lake resource centre facing cuts

The Snow Lake Family Resource Centre is fighting to continue services after provincial funding for the centre was cut.
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The Snow Lake Family Resource Centre is fighting to continue services after provincial funding for the centre was cut. Board member Ricki Klippenstein said the centre was funded through the provincial government’s Family Violence Prevention Program, but stopped receiving funding in April.

“Because of our lower numbers versus the bigger places… we lost our funding,” she said.

“Due to basically all government cutbacks across the board, because our numbers are lower than [others], we were one of the ones that got cut first.”

Klippenstein said cuts to the centre mean a decrease in services.

“As of right now, we had to cut back our counseling services,” she said.

“We try to keep them in our budget as much as we can, so that we do have something to offer in crisis situations.”

Klippenstein, a former councillor for the centre, said cuts to service might put doubt into the community about coming for help. She wanted to make clear the centre is still active and offering services, even if their hours are cut.

“We still will help you,” she said.

“We can refer you out somewhere. We can help you with different resources. But sometimes it’s a little more difficult to have somebody in here all the time, ready and available.”

Klippenstein added that the centre is trying to replace the government funding.

“We’ve written to a bunch of government agencies through all different levels of the government to try and get that funding or even another source of funding that can help us so that those services are there full time again,” Klippenstein said.

“And we will do anything we can at any point. If there’s a crisis situation we step up and get that person the help that they need.”

New furniture

One source of outside funding for the centre came courtesy of the Northern Neighbours Foundation. The centre recently received over $1,200 from the foundation to improve the furniture in their counselling room.

Klippenstein said that the feel of a space can make a difference in counselling.

“You need to create that comfort,” she said.

“The positive atmosphere, the comfort level, that you’re able to open up, that you’re able to know that it’s okay to be there, that it’s not a cold place to walk into.”

The Snow Lake Family Resource Centre has been open since 1982 and offers emotional support, counselling, information, referrals and educational workshops within the community.

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